USA vs France Women's Olympic Soccer: Grades, Twitter Reaction & Analysis

The U.S. women’s soccer team kicked off the 2012 Olympics on an outstanding note in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over France in Group G action.

After giving up two goals in the first 14 minutes of the game, it appeared as if the U.S. team was in deep trouble.

But nobody panicked. An Abby Wambach goal in the 19th minute calmed the nerves of her teammates, and the rest was history. For the remainder of the match, the team played much more relaxed, and the goals began to come.

Alex Morgan shook off an early injury to notch two goals. She continues to play up to the "Next Mia Hamm" label.

Carli Lloyd registered the go-ahead goal to make it 3-2, notching her 37th in international play.

Despite the poor start, it was a terrific way to kick off the Olympics, and there is no question the U.S. squad is going to be a tough out in the competition. Three points for the U.S.

Grades

Alex Morgan: A

Is there any doubt she is the future of women’s soccer?

The 23-year-old California native registered two goals, and on both, she was in the right place at the right time.

Some people may call it luck, but when it keeps happening, it goes far beyond that. She is savvy beyond her years and has the concentration and coordination to catch and shoot before the defense can recover.

At this rate, Morgan is going to leave London as one of the biggest stories of the Olympics.

Abby Wambach: A+

She is the backbone of this team.

Wambach’s brilliant header in the 19th minute ensured the game wouldn’t get out of hand, and it injected life into a U.S. team that looked to be in deep trouble.

Her aggressiveness with the ball set up Morgan’s second score, and the goal she netted was a much-needed momentum boost.

Wambach is the clear leader of this team on the field. After missing the 2008 Olympics with an injury, there is no doubt the 32-year-old is on a mission to make up for lost time.

She’s off to a good start.

Gaetane Thiney: B+

While she didn’t do a whole lot for the vast majority of the match, she may have had the prettiest goal of the day with her long-distance strike in the 12th minute.

Twitter Reaction

The Olympics are the only time people on Twitter in America are on the same page, and the excitement was evident.

The USWNT’s history feed was on pins and needles early before the goal rush:

"

Wow...thanks for the multiple heart attacks @ussoccer_wnt. Great job holding on for the rollercoaster ride! #USWNT

— USWNT History (@USWNTHistory) July 25, 2012"

Sean Gregory of Time.com believes the Mia Hamm comparisons are just for Morgan at this point:

"

So Alex Morgan is kind of living up to the next-Mia Hamm hype

— Sean Gregory (@seanmgregory) July 25, 2012"

Morgan always seems to be in the right place to score a goal, notes Bleacher Report’s own Dan Levy:

"

Once again, Alex Morgan takes out the trash. Maybe that one was the recycling. Always in the right place.

— Dan Levy (@DanLevyThinks) July 25, 2012"

There are going to be some amazing photographs in these Olympics, and ESPN L.A.’s Arash Markazi provides a great one after Lloyd’s goal:

"

A nice shot after @CarliLloyd's game-winning goal. twitpic.com/abo9hy

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 25, 2012"

Analysis

When the score was 2-0, the panic meter was on overdrive.

The U.S. team looked tentative, unwilling to force the action and, honestly, a little caught up in the moment.

That all changed with Wambach's goal.

Sure, Morgan’s performance will be what stands out in the box score, but it was Wambach’s goal that allowed her team—and an entire nation—to breathe a sigh of relief.

From there, the team amped up its aggressiveness, and it led to multiple easy goals. France seemed to be rather fatigued in the second half, and the U.S. took full advantage.

It was a great way to kick off the Olympics, and there is no question the U.S. women’s team is going to be a serious contender for gold. 

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