By The Associated Press. Vietnam drew comparisons to Thailand, the team the Americans routed in in their World Cup opening game. Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis, scores and more. Or with:. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Morgan was knocked to the field clutching her calf after trying for the rebound off her missed penalty, but she quickly returned. It was just her second penalty miss for the United States. Smith, one of 14 Americans playing in their first World Cup, showed why she was named both U.
Smith scored off a pass from captain Lindsey Horan in the 14th minute. Smith and Horan celebrated with a choreographed handshake after the goal. She scored again in first-half stoppage time to make it going into the break.
The United States was at first flagged as offside before a video review confirmed the goal. The U. Among the veterans, year-old Megan Rapinoe made her th international appearance against Vietnam. She announced before the team left for New Zealand that this would be her last World Cup and she would retire from her professional team at the end of the season. Rapinoe and midfielder Rose Lavelle, who were both limited by injuries in the run-up to the tournament, both came in as substitutes in the 63rd minute.
Rapinoe sported bright blue hair. The youngest player on the team, year-old Alyssa Thompson, was also a second-half sub.
Horan scored into a wide-open net off a pass from Smith, who was rushed by the goalkeeper and deftly sent the ball back to her. Horan, who was recently engaged, kissed her ring in celebration. There was early drama when Rodman, the daughter of former NBA great Dennis Rodman and one of the young newcomers on the team, appeared injured after falling hard on her back when she was tackled by defender Tran Thi Thu.
