Before entering the media news conference room following the United States women’s national soccer team’s 2-0 win over Argentina in Nashville on March 1, USWNT coach Emma Hayes ate a hot chicken tender. Ten minutes later, Hayes said, her lips were still burning.
That piece of poultry wasn’t the only thing spicy about the team’s victory to open the 2026 SheBelieves Cup. Hard-nosed play marked the match at Geodis Park — including a knee to the back of star Trinity Rodman. The USWNT didn’t always play like the No. 2 team in the world but managed to overcome an aggressive Argentina side thanks to goals from Lindsey Heaps and Jaedyn Shaw.
“We know that they’re a good team, but to see how physical they were kind of surprised us,” goalkeeper Claudia Dickey said. ” . . . It was tough to mentally stay in it.”
MORE: USWNT prepares for important stretch with SheBelieves Cup in Nashville
Hayes contrasted her team’s performance against Argentina to its 2-1 loss to Portugal last October. Portugal was ranked 23rd in the world by FIFA at the time of that match; Argentina came into Geodis ranked 30th.
“Provocation is going to happen with different types of opponents, how you handle that, for me, is a testament,” Hayes said. “… I’m delighted that I’m putting in the team in an uncomfortable position, and that we’re coming through it much differently than we did with Portugal. Exactly the same situation, and I think we handled the hard part better and had much better emotional control even though it was scrappy.”
Shaw was a good example. In the first half, she was dragged to the ground by Argentina’s Sofia Dominguez, who appeared to grab her hair and received a yellow card for the hard foul. Later in the game, she curled a shot from the left corner of the penalty box into the top-right corner to double the United States’ lead.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but it was a hard team to face with a lot of pressure,” Heaps said. “We got the win at the end of the day.”
Trinity Rodman injury update
The physicality of the game didn’t come without a downside for the USWNT, however. Star forward Trinity Rodman took a knee to her back from Argentina’s Milagros Martin in the 91st minute, and was forced to leave the game after receiving medical attention on the field.
Rodman has dealt with recurring back injuries throughout her career. After the match, Hayes said she hadn’t had the chance to talk to her.
“It’s always sad to see one of your players come down, especially with something that she’s working for,” said defender Gisele Thompson. “I really hope she’s OK.”
Added Dickey: “I’m not saying it could have been stopped. But I think a few (calls) were missed on both sides, and that’s what happens when things just go too far.”
USWNT returns to Nashville
The USWNT has now played seven games in Nashville, winning six and drawing one. Geodis has hosted three games since it opened in 2022, including a SheBelieves Cup win over Japan in 2023.
“This is a great stadium and atmosphere, city to play in,” Shaw said. “This might be my second time here, and I feel like I remember loving it every time. I am a Southern girl, so I always love coming back to Southern states.”
Added midfielder Olivia Moultrie: “Especially when it started getting a little chippy, the fans were with us the whole time. So that was a fun feeling.”
Geodis is one of seven host stadiums for the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be in Los Angeles but with soccer matches around the country. It’s also a candidate to host games during the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: USWNT beats Argentina in SheBelieves Cup, Trinity Rodman injury update
