Megan Rapinoe, Mia Hamm and Snoop Dogg, were all among the crowd in Paris as Trinity Rodman – the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman – scored in extra time to lead the United States into the Olympics semifinals.
Emma Hayes’ team secured a 1-0 victory over Japan on Saturday at the Parc des Princes. They will now face Germany or Canada in Marseille.
The US went into the knockout match undefeated, having outscored their opponents 9-2 at the Paris Games under new coach Hayes but Japan foiled the Americans over 90 minutes.
Rodman’s strike found the far corner in stoppage time at the end of the first extra period. She fell to the field as she was embraced by her teammates in celebration.
It was Rodman’s third goal of the tournament. She nearly scored again in the second extra period.
Trinity Rodman scored into stoppage time in the first half to claim a win for the US over Japan
American rapper Snoop Dogg was seen in the stands just hours after watching on dressage
Former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe was at the Parc des Princes to cheer on her old teammates
Hayes, the former boss at Chelsea, was hired last fall to lead the Americans after they struggled at last summer’s Women’s World Cup and were eliminated from the tournament earlier than ever before in the Round of 16.
Japan had two good chances in quick succession in the first half. Mina Tanaka’s attempt was smothered by US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher before Miyabi Moriya blasted a shot from about 12 yards that went over the goal.
Mallory Swanson, who leads the team with three goals in the tournament, had the best opportunities for the United States in the second half. But the US was uncharacteristically plagued with errant passes and missed opportunities.
Rodman’s blast after a free kick in the 90th minute bounced off of a Japanese defender and was cleared away.
It was a tight match between familiar opponents. Japan defeated the United States in the final of the 2011 Women’s World Cup. The next year, the Americans beat Japan in the 2012 Olympic final for the gold. The title in London would be the last of a record four gold medals for the United States in the Olympics.
Standing right next to Rapinoe were former USWNT striker Mia Hamm and midfielder Julie Ertz
Trinity Rodman is the daughter of NBA legend & former Chicago Bulls center Dennis Rodman
Dennis and Trinity Rodman together before a collegiate soccer game in November 2021 in DC
The Americans won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Games after a loss to Canada in the semifinals. Japan fell on home soil to Sweden in the quarterfinals at the COVID-delayed tournament.
The United States also defeated Japan at the 2015 World Cup in Canada. Carli Lloyd scored three goals within the first 16 minutes and the U.S. went on to win 5-2.
The United States made one change to its starting lineup for the team’s quarterfinal match against Japan in Paris. Korbin Albert replaced Sam Coffey in midfield. Coffey was ineligible for the game because of yellow card accumulation.
The United States also made forward Jaedyn Shaw available after she missed the first three games with a leg injury.
