The U.S. women's soccer team played Costa Rica to a 0-0 draw in sweltering temperatures Tuesday night in its final exhibition game before the Paris Olympics.
At kickoff in Washington, D.C., the temperature was 98 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius). Tuesday's temperatures matched the hottest day on record in the nation's capital, which was 104 (40 C) hours earlier.
Coach Emma Hayes thought it would be a good test for her players, given the forecast for almost this level of heat during upcoming games in Marseille later this month.
“That's an added bonus,” Hayes said Monday. “It's perfect preparation. It's pretty hot there, so this is a great opportunity for us to experience what we're going to be up against.”
This led to Rose Lavelle being withdrawn at the last minute due to leg stiffness during warm-up, with team staff deciding it was not worth the risk given the circumstances. A team spokesman said Lavelle was fine.
Korbin Albert replaced Lavelle in the starting lineup for the match at Audi Field, which was played on a playing surface worn down by recent soccer and rugby matches and attended by 18,972 fans.
The United States created many opportunities throughout the match and was repeatedly denied by Costa Rican goalkeeper Noelia Bermúdez, who collided with Trinity Rodman at one point in the first half. Both players fell to the ground and received medical attention, but remained on the field.
Costa Rica, which did not qualify for the Olympics, often sat back and had no shots on goal, with just two attempts, while the United States was constantly on the attack.
After a ceremony following the “Farewell Match,” the Americans will fly to Paris on Wednesday and play their first Olympic match on July 25 against Zambia in Nice. Matches in Marseille against Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31 close out the group stage, as the Americans look to improve on their bronze medal showing in Tokyo three years ago.
Hayes, who has been coaching the United States since late May, was proud of the dominance of possession in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Mexico in New Jersey but said Monday it was about “doing more with it.” Much of the same occurred Tuesday against Costa Rica, including a pair of goals ruled out for offside and some missed opportunities on corner kicks and attacking plays.
With a squad made up mostly of young and inexperienced players, Hayes also wanted as many players as possible to get involved in the match. He made four substitutions in the 67th minute and another at the end to help those efforts.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
