USWNT dominates Costa Rica everywhere but the scoreboard

The U.S. women’s national soccer team will depart for the Paris Olympics this week with a new coach, fresh talent, a nine-game unbeaten streak and a renewed drive to play for a title after glum performances at recent major tournaments.

But the Americans also will arrive in Marseille, France, ahead of their July 25 opener against Zambia in Nice without an element vital to their gold medal cause: a knack for scoring goals.

Tuesday’s send-off match at Audi Field against Costa Rica was one-sided by every measure, except on the scoreboard. After squandering countless opportunities, the Americans settled for a 0-0 draw against an opponent they had beaten in all 17 previous meetings by a 90-2 count.

The United States had lopsided advantages in shots (26-2), shots on goal (12-0), corner kicks (16-0) and possession (80 percent). The Americans’ 67 touches in the penalty area were their most without scoring since Opta, a statistical service, began charting U.S. games nine years ago.

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The empty performance came three days after the team labored to defeat a weak Mexican side, 1-0, in Harrison, N.J.

“We’re creating more and more high-quality chances, and we’re getting more numbers into the key areas,” Coach Emma Hayes said. “We’re getting more touches in the key areas. The last part is the hardest part. … If we didn’t create situations, I might say something different.”

Scoring also was a problem at the World Cup last year: one goal in the last three games.

Captain Lindsey Horan has “no concern” about the scoring rut.

“I have full faith in our team,” she said. “We wanted to create better chances, better opportunities, more shots on goal, just more quality chances, and I think that happened from the [Mexico] game to this game. We have just got to finish them off.”

Hayes has been using lineups close to full strength. She planned to make one change from the Mexico match — Crystal Dunn for Jenna Nighswonger at left back — but during warmups, Rose Lavelle was scratched because of groin tightness.

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So close to the Olympics, “I just took no risks,” Hayes said.

Nighswonger, a first-time Olympian who started at left back Saturday, was not in uniform for load management reasons, per the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Audi Field’s playing surface did not help the situation. It has been in subpar condition since the end of the D.C. Defenders’ football season. Those issues were compounded by a rugby match Friday, followed by a D.C. United game Saturday.

On corner kicks, “I was like kicking into dirt,” Mallory Swanson said. Asked about the field, Horan said, “No comment.”

Korbin Albert replaced Lavelle in midfield, joining Horan and Sam Coffey. Without Lavelle, though, the U.S. team lacked a clever player capable of breaking down an opponent in a low defensive block.

Despite dominant possession, opportunities were squandered and Noelia Bermúdez made several terrific saves.

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“We have to be patient,” said Hayes, whose broader aim is to win the World Cup in 2027. “There’s a lot of young, inexperienced players that are still learning at this level. And, yes, it’s a new era. Yes, we want to win, but we have to understand the steps to take to do that, and what I saw tonight, I’m certain we’re going in the right direction.”

Here’s what else to know about the Americans’ draw:

Second gentleman in the house

Among the 18,972 in attendance was second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who will lead the U.S. delegation at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies on Aug. 11.

Emhoff, who has spoken on equity issues, was in New Zealand last summer for the World Cup and has attended NWSL games.

“I’m a massive soccer fan,” he said in a halftime interview. “I’m one of those obsessives who gets up early and follows it. So for me as a sports fan, being able to root for the women was a very natural progression for me.”

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His wife, Vice President Harris, is a big basketball fan, but “she’s becoming more interested in soccer through me and because she loves sports,” Emhoff said. “If it’s basketball, I don’t have to twist her arm. But now that there’s so much soccer on between [the European Championship and Copa América] — and now we’re coming into the Olympics — she just came and sat down with me to watch some of the soccer that’s been on.” …

The Americans are 10-1-1 in the District, with the loss coming to France in 2017 at RFK Stadium. They are 4-0-0 at other locations in the D.C. area and 4-0-0 in Richmond/Virginia Beach. …

The USSF is finalizing three home friendlies during an extended international window in late October. It also must fill dates for a window starting in late November.

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