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Watch USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson score her first international goal after a stunning finish
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Watch USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson score her first international goal after a stunning finish

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Alyssa Thompson #7 of the United States celebrates scoring with Sam Coffey #17 during the first half against Iceland at Q2 Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Alyssa Thompson (left) celebrated her first USWNT goal with her teammates, including Sam Coffey, on Thursday. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

It was a good night for the USWNT teens on Thursday, with the USA earning a 3-1 victory over Iceland behind some of the team’s young stars. Nineteen-year-old forwards Alyssa Thompson and Jaedyn Shaw both achieved incredible finishes, with Thompson earning her first international goal.

Thompson has been out of the US squad for over a year, but returned with a bang on Thursday. In the 39th minute, she hit a stunning finish into the top right corner of the goal, giving the US an early 1-0 lead.

Immediately after the goal, Thompson sprinted towards American forward Sophia Smith, who was warming up as a substitute on the sideline. Smith then scored the USWNT’s third goal of the night: a laser from the top of the box.

But a few minutes earlier, Shaw got the go-ahead in the 85th minute, after Iceland’s Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir scored the equalizer earlier in the half. Shaw nutmegged a defender and a nutmeg on her way to her eighth international goal.

Thompson, who earned her third international start, was named Woman of the Match.

It’s an interesting time for the USWNT, with coach Emma Hayes taking the time to find a balance between the team’s veterans while also giving new players a chance to prove themselves. Thursday’s match marked the 100th cap for veteran defender Emily Sonnett, but also marked the first caps for midfielder Hal Hershfelt and forward Yazmeen Ryan, two NWSL standouts called up during this period.

The match was the first of three in the October friendly period, with the series serving as a victory tour following the USWNT’s gold medal at the Olympics. The US plays Iceland again on Sunday and Argentina on Wednesday. Hayes said at last week’s press conference that there will be different squads for each of the three matches, giving several players the opportunity to earn international caps and showcase their skills.