The U.S. Women's National Team got off to a grand start in their quest for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup on Monday defeating Australia 3-1. Megan Rapinoe scored a brace sandwiched around Christen Press' game-winner and Hope Solo made a number of key world-class saves to keep the Yanks in it.
The match also featured the first appearance in the tournament for Thorns FC midfielder Tobin Heath. It was Heath's fifth-ever World Cup appearance and she helped the team close out the match and pick up an important three points to put the Americans atop Group D.
We talked about the match, the impact of Rapinoe, running into fellow Thorns FC teammate Steph Catley with Australia at the team hotel and how she's recharging for the team's next game against Sweden on Friday (5pm PT, FOX).
Brian Costello:
First win in the books. How did it feel?
Tobin Heath:
“It felt great. I think any time you can get off to a good start like that in a tournament as important as this one, it’s always a positive. I think, obviously you saw a lot of typical first game jitters or nerves or whatever you want to call it, and I think we settled into the match. But obviously, Australia is a great team so fortunately for us we got that win and it put us in a great position moving forward.”
BC:
You mention those jitters. Australia came out flying, Hope Solo has a couple of key saves and it looked like maybe you were on your heels a little bit. What does it say about the team’s resilience though to finish it off with 3-1?
TH:
“I think obviously those saves by Hope were phenomenal and it definitely helped us out, but I think overall it’s a really good feeling within the team, because we faced a tough opponent and, like you said, we were resilient and we came back and I thought we progressed well throughout the game and continued to settle into our own. And I think it’s pretty cool that we got a great result against a good opponent when we didn’t even play at our best.”
BC:
How about that Megan Rapinoe? Two great goals.
TH:
“Oh yeah, she’s phenomenal. We all know her quality, and it’s so cool to see her do her thing on the big stage. And those goals were clutch for us and really helped us out. So in that way she was just world class.”
BC:
For you personally, what was it like stepping out on the field for that first 2015 Women’s World Cup game?
TH:
“It was great. I obviously had a job to do and it was very specific what my role was going to be, going into that game. So I just wanted to execute the game plan and obviously solidify the win. So in that way I felt great, obviously. I’m super thankful to just even be here, so in that moment, stepping out on the field was a really, really great feeling and to be able to contribute to the success of the team.”
BC:
What was the role that USWNT head coach Jill Ellis asked you to have in that moment?
TH:
“Well, when I was warming up actually it was 1-1, and while I was warming up is when Christen Press scored that huge 2-1 goal, which was really the changing goal. It was massive, that goal. So in that moment my role changed while I was warming up from going out and making something happen to going out and making sure we obviously were controlling the game at that point and managing the fact that we were up. So I felt like the coaches they were very specific in what they wanted me to do and what they wanted me to bring to the team, which was just finishing out the game and helping control the time.”
BC:
Did you get to talk to Thorns FC teammate and Australia defender Steph Catley at all after the game?
TH:
“Yeah, slightly before. We’re sharing the same hotel so I saw her before the game and gave her a hug after the game. I thought she did super well. She’s great, and our Group D is stacked so it’s kind of exciting seeing these games because you’re seeing pretty awesome games right from the start. And the group’s going to be super interesting, so in that way she’s got two more really heavy games ahead of her, as do we.”
BC:
Now, is today a day off?
TH:
“There’s no day offs here. [Laughs.] Today’s a little bit more of a relaxing day, but we’ve got practice tonight. We’re not taking any days off here but it’s nice to get some time to recover and spend with friends and family.”
BC:
Maybe “day off” is not the best way to phrase it. [Laughs.] I guess the better question is what are you doing with the time to recharge, with the little bit of time that you have?
TH:
“My mom’s here so it’s been super fun getting to share this time with her. Our friends and family time is pretty limited, so I try and get as much as I can with her. And obviously we’re just doing everything possible to recover as quickly as we can and make sure we’re in the best way physically and mentally to be able to go into this next game, because like I said, this next game against Sweden’s going to be tough, and for us we have to make sure we’re at our best.”
BC:
You talk about Sweden. What do you see, both for you and the team, as the biggest challenges with the Swedes?
TH:
“I think the biggest challenge is the fact that they’re a world class team that needs points at this stage. They probably didn’t get the result they necessarily wanted against Nigeria, so this is a critical game for both of us. And how we want to move forward in the tournament. And I think we’re two sides that want to go far in the tournament, and two very competitive sides, so we know each other very well, so I don’t think we’re going to be able to afford a first half like we did against Australia. We’re going to have to come out blazing from the beginning of the game. And that way I hope we’re settled and we’re ready to get down to business from the start.”
