The U.S. women celebrate after Carli Lloyd’s game-winning goal vs. France, Aug. 6, 2016. (Eugenio Savio/AP)
It could have gone the other way. But it didn’t.
On Saturday (Aug. 6), the U.S. women escaped with a 1-0 victory over France, thanks largely to brilliant goalkeeping by Hope Solo.
One of Hope Solo’s five saves vs. France, Aug. 6, 2016. (Mariana Bazo/Reuters)
Team USA, assured of advancing to the knockout stage, has one last group game: The Americans play Colombia on Tuesday (Aug. 9). Kickoff is at 5 p.m. CT. The game is on NBCSN.
Here are five parting oddities, curiosities, or (possibly) interesting facts about the USA-France match and its participants:
1.
Carli Lloyd’s goal was her 10th of 2016. This is the third year in a row in which she’s recorded 10 or more goals. She had 18 in 2015 and 15 in 2014, leading the team in scoring both years.
Carli Lloyd after her game-winning goal vs. France, Aug. 6, 2016. (Eugenio Savio/AP)
2.
Saturday was the fourth anniversary of one of the most dramatic games in the history of the Olympics, and one of the most dramatic goals in the history of the U.S. women’s team: Alex Morgan’s header in the 123rd minute to give the United States a 4-3 victory over Canada in a semifinal match at the London Olympics.
The Canadians — who’d led the game three times, only to see the Americans equalize three times — were shellshocked.
The Americans went on to beat Japan 2-1 in the title game, winning their fourth Olympic gold medal.
3.
Monday was the eighth anniversary of the last U.S. loss in an Olympic game — a 2-0 defeat in group play to Norway. That setback didn’t stop Team USA from going on to win the gold medal at the 2008 Games.
4.
Alex Morgan’s goal in the Americans’ opening match against New Zealand on Wednesday (Aug. 3) was her fifth in Olympic play, tying her for third on the U.S. list, with Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett.
Abby Wambach is the team’s leading Olympic scorer, with 10 goals. Carli Lloyd is second, with eight.
5.
Hope Solo has 11 shutouts this year, making it likely that she’ll surrpass her season high of 13 in 2008 (also an Olympic year).
Earlier:
5 things you might not know about USA vs. France
5 more things you might not know about USA vs. France
finishers 