In their final pre-Olympic tune-up, the U.S. women’s national soccer team battled to a 0-0 draw against Costa Rica amidst sweltering 100-degree temperatures in Washington D.C. The grueling conditions saw players resorting to water bottles and towels to combat the intense heat wave sweeping across the region.
“It was really hot,” midfielder Sam Coffey remarked, reflecting on the challenging weather. “It was tough.”
Head coach Emma Hayes viewed the match as ideal preparation for their upcoming fixtures in Marseille, France. The team will depart for France on Wednesday, gearing up for an Olympics where concerns about high temperatures have loomed large. While Paris itself is expected to see mild weather, Marseille and Nice, where both U.S. soccer teams will play their group stage matches, are forecasted to experience temperatures in the high 80s and 90s.
“This is a great opportunity for us to experience what we’re going to face,” Hayes emphasized, acknowledging the importance of acclimatizing to the conditions.
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the USWNT struggled to break down Costa Rica’s defensive tactics, highlighting areas for improvement ahead of tougher competition in France. Concerns about the playing conditions were underscored by midfielder Rose Lavelle’s removal from the starting lineup due to groin tightness, a decision aimed at minimizing risks.
With just one goal scored in their last two friendlies, the team heads to Marseille aware that their Olympic opponents will pose a greater challenge than Costa Rica. However, the experience of battling through adverse weather conditions is seen as invaluable preparation for what lies ahead in the southern coast of France.
“These are great preparation moments for us going to the south of France,” Coffey concluded, optimistic about the team’s readiness for the Olympic campaign.
