The USWNT defender was the star, scoring twice in a lopsided win that served as an introduction to more newcomers
Somehow Naomi Girma wasn't among the 2024 Ballon d'Or nominees. We're not talking top five or 10 here (where the USWNT had representatives at No. 4 in Sophia Smith, No. 5 Lindsey Horan, No. 6 Mallory Swanson and No. 9 Trinity Rodman). No, we're talking top 30. Anyone who doesn't think Girma is one of the 30 best players in the world knows nothing about the sport, and even less about Girma.
Girma proved that on Wednesday in Louisville – not that she really had to. Defensively, she might be the best in the world. Against Argentina Wednesday night, though, Girma's performance wasn't defined by her defensive perfection, but rather an unexpected spark of attacking genius that even she couldn't believe.
The defender scored the first two goals of her professional career, leading the way in a 3-0 win over Argentina. The first was a powerful header into a wide-open net. The second was a pinpoint-headed finish right into the top corner. In between, she virtually scored a third, flicking a corner off a defender for an Argentina own goal.
"We were all just laughing and so excited," Girma told TNT of her first international goal. "Anytime someone gets their first goal, it’s such a joy and the whole team gets so excited, so it was fun to get mine tonight. I’ve always wanted it."
Girma doesn't seem the type to really take things such as Ballon d'Or votes personally, or go launch some sort of revenge tour, but she sure played like she did. Girma was a force of nature, one that Argentina couldn't handle… not that any other team in the world could.
With Girma at the top of the list, GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Lynn Family Stadium.
ImagnWINNER: Naomi Girma
The smile on her face said it all. She tried so hard to compose herself, but Girma kept finding reasons to smile even wider. She continually made eye contact with her teammates, starting the process over and over again. It was easy to see how much this all meant to her.
Girma hadn't scored a professional goal for club or country. She'd scored a few collegiately at Stanford but, even back then, this was never really part of her game. The 24-year-old centerback is one of the best pure defenders in the world but, on Wednesday, those goalscoring instincts shined through.
This won't happen often, so Girma took full advantage of the opportunities. She isn't exactly a newly-inducted member of "Quadruple Espresso" or anything, but this happened to be a night – with debutants all over the pitch for Emma Hayes' squad – in which everything simply went right.
It does make you wonder: If Girma can add goals to her game, if she can add one or two a year going forward, how valuable could that be to this USWNT group? Girma is already an elite defender but, if she can chip in an occasional goal, it'll be hard to find many better anywhere in the game.
"To come back together, have that celebration, be back with the group has been great," she said after the game. "And then obviously we’ve had great additions this camp with a lot of players getting their first caps, so there’s been so much to celebrate. And I think we had the balance of we’re celebrating, but we’re also turning the page and moving forward. I think to finish this camp with three great wins, get a lot of different players on the field, see new rotations, see new lineups, is really exciting, and all we could really hope for in this window."
AdvertisementImagnLOSER: Argentina
Iceland, despite the country's small size, gave the USWNT two really good games over the past week. The back-to-back 3-1 scorelines disguised that to some degree, but anyone who watched will say that Iceland tested the U.S. for significant stretches.
Hayes was certainly pleased to get challenged in the first two matches, saying this week "I always say that we can develop and win at the same time. But sometimes you need different challenges. When you have a team that’s familiar with each other, I can keep putting a familiar team out, and that team can keep growing, no problem. But what we won’t do is develop knowledge and understanding of other individuals."
Argentina most certainly didn't challenge the U.S. This was a mismatch. After trouncing Argentina 4-0 earlier this year, the U.S. cruised to this 3-0 win. The Argentines never really threatened, just as they didn't at the Gold Cup in February.
For a country with Argentina's overall soccer heritage, this team still seems so far behind the game's other superpowers. They've been to just one Olympic tournament and four World Cups, never winning a game at the latter.
Argentina couldn't do much against the USWNT. Wednesday was another reminder, though, of how far down the pecking order this team is despite the fact that the potential to be so much better.
ImagnWINNER: Alyssa Malonson
It's been a strong camp for USWNT newcomers. You can add Malonson to that list.
The Bay FC left-back provided an assist in her first USWNT appearance, announcing herself to the national team with a big moment. Malonson was one of three USWNT debutants in the match and she sure made the most of her opportunity.
The 25-year-old has had an interesting career. After opting for a fifth college season at Auburn due to the pandemic, Malonson joined OL Reign, but was then loaned to FC Nordsjaelland. Since being selected by Bay FC in the NWSL Expansion Draft this offseason, though, she's become a legitimate NWSL regular for the league's newest team.
This was just a start, and competition is fierce at left-back. Jenna Nighswonger is the starter, while there are plenty of other players gunning for a role. That assist will help Malonson get into the mix, though, which is all you can ask for from a debut.
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IMAGNLOSER: Mandy Haught
This has nothing to do with anything Haught did wrong. It's more that she wasn't asked to do much in the match, period.
Every player aspires to be the hero in their international debut. For goalkeepers, you'd dream of making a big save in a crucial moment, showing your value to the team. Haught didn't get that opportunity… because Argentina never really gave it to her.
Argentina had just four shots to the USWNT's 18. Worse for Argentina, only one of their four was on target. It was a quiet night for Haught, who didn't really get a chance to make an impression.
On one hand, that's unfortunate, particularly with the goalkeeping position where it is. On the other – hey, a clean sheet is still a clean sheet, especially upon debut. So to that end, it was still a night to be remembered for Haught, even if she didn't get a chance to provide a truly memorable moment.