Trinity Rodman boots USWNT past Japan, into semifinals

Trinity Rodman scored just before the midpoint of extra time to lead the U.S. women's national team to 1-0 victory over Japan on Saturday in Paris to advance to the semifinals of the Olympic tournament.

The U.S. plays either Germany or Canada on Tuesday in Lyon, France.

More than 105 minutes into the match, Rodman took a pass deep on the right side of the box from Crystal Dunn, cut back and on the second touch with her left foot drilled a shot to the far upper corner of the net.

The goal stood after a VAR review for offside.

Per OptaJack, at 22 years, 75 days, Rodman is the youngest USWNT player to score an extra-time goal since Heather O'Reilly (19 years, 234 days) in the 2004 Olympics semifinal vs. Germany.

Sophia Smith nearly put the U.S. ahead in the 96th minute after she stole the ball and tried to score near the post. Ayaka Yamashita, however, came off her line to make the save on the first American shot on goal in 88 minutes.

After a mundane opening 45 minutes, neither team was able to find a breakthrough with attacking soccer taking a backseat to tight defending.

Through regulation, the U.S. led in attempts (9-6) and possession (74.1 percent) although each team had one shot on target.

The U.S. has won all four Olympic matches by a 10-2 score under new coach Emma Hayes in only her eighth match.

The first half saw the U.S. with an aggressive approach only to have Japan sit back and wait for the counter; the reason the U.S. owned 78 percent of possession.

While the U.S. had three shot attempts, its lone on target came in the eighth minute when Lindsey Horan's header from an Emily Sonnett cross was easily saved by Yamashita.

Japan didn't have a scoring chance until the 35th minute when its first shot came from the top of the box by Mina Tanaka. Alyssa Naeher went to the ground to cover the try.

That was Japan's only shot on goal for the match in nine attempts.

The U.S. made one change to the starting lineup with Korbin Albert replacing Sam Coffey in the midfield. Coffey was suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

- Field Level Media