Logarzo, Australia Etch Best-Ever Finish at Olympic Games

KASHIMA, Japan (Aug. 5, 2021) — The Australia Women’s National Team entered Thursday’s Bronze Medal Match in the Tokyo 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament as history-makers. Never had an Australian Women’s National side reached even the semifinals of the Olympic tournament, which made Thursday’s showdown against the United States historic no matter the result. Kansas City NWSL midfielder Chloe Logarzo was named to the Starting XI in the monumental match for the Matildas and played a part in what was an incredible rematch following a scoreless draw between the two teams earlier in the tournament. 

Logarzo and Australia did secure the best-ever finish for a Matildas side in the Olympics but were unable to come away with the first Olympic soccer medal in the history of Australia’s men’s or women’s national team. In a seven-goal thriller that featured several twists and turns, the United States emerged victorious 4-3. Logarzo played 66 minutes before Australia manager Tony Gustavsson made several changes in an attempt to cut into the United States’ advantage. 

Logarzo put in a solid performance in the midfield yet again against the United States. She excelled defensively, helping make crucial deflections and interceptions to snuff out American attacks. Logarzo did not get forward as much in the first half, but still helped spray the ball out wide to help start Australian counterattacks on a couple of occasions. As the United States built a 4-1 lead shortly into the second half, Logarzo got forward more and began pressing as the Matildas attempted a furious comeback. 

In a game that featured 32 combined shots, the action began early. United States forward Megan Rapinoe scored directly from an eighth minute corner kick, with an incredible finish that bent over Australian goalkeeper Tegan Micah and into the side netting on the back post. Rapinoe’s goal marked the earliest strike in the history of the Women’s Bronze Medal Match and was the United States’ earliest goal in the Olympic tournament.

Against the run of play, Australia equalized less than 10 minutes later. Following a misplayed pass on the United States back line, Australia forward Caitlin Foord picked up the ball and slid a pass through to fellow forward Sam Kerr. Kerr finished her run by blasting a left-footed shot through United States goalkeeper Adriana Franch in the 17th minute. Kerr nearly handed the Matildas the lead minutes later, as midfielder Tameka Yallop played a dangerous ball into the 18-yard box that Kerr met with her head. However, Franch made a quality save to keep the game level.

The United States added three more goals as the match developed. With Rapinoe scoring her second and forward Carli Lloyd adding two more to give the United States a 4-1 lead in the 51st minute that should’ve been comfortable enough to see out.

However, it wasn’t, and Lloyd’s composed finish ended up serving as the match winner. The Matildas flipped the script and began pressing themselves over the game’s final 40 minutes, while the United States sat back more to hold the lead. Foord made the first incision into the lead in the 54tth minute, with a looping header over Franch following a cross from forward Kyah Simon. Kerr hit the post with a headed effort of her own two minutes later.

In the dying stages of the match, Foord picked up her second assist of the match, playing a ball ahead to Australia forward Emily Gielnik, who had perhaps the best goal of a match filled with impressive finishes, burying the ball in the bottom corner from 25 yards away in the 90th minute. Australia attempted to use that lifeline to find an equalizer in stoppage time, but the late rally fell just short. 

Australia’s historic Olympic tournament ended just shy of a medal, but a Kansas City NWSL player is guaranteed a medal in Friday’s Gold Medal Match. Canada midfielder Desiree Scott looks to help lead her country to Olympic glory when Canada squares off against Sweden on Friday morning. The match kicks off at 7 a.m. CT on USA Network. 

KASHIMA, Japan (Aug. 5, 2021) — The Australia Women’s National Team entered Thursday’s Bronze Medal Match in the Tokyo 2020 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament as history-makers. Never had an Australian Women’s National side reached even the semifinals of the Olympic tournament, which made Thursday’s showdown against the United States historic no matter the result. Kansas City NWSL midfielder Chloe Logarzo was named to the Starting XI in the monumental match for the Matildas and played a part in what was an incredible rematch following a scoreless draw between the two teams earlier in the tournament. 

Logarzo and Australia did secure the best-ever finish for a Matildas side in the Olympics but were unable to come away with the first Olympic soccer medal in the history of Australia’s men’s or women’s national team. In a seven-goal thriller that featured several twists and turns, the United States emerged victorious 4-3. Logarzo played 66 minutes before Australia manager Tony Gustavsson made several changes in an attempt to cut into the United States’ advantage. 

Logarzo put in a solid performance in the midfield yet again against the United States. She excelled defensively, helping make crucial deflections and interceptions to snuff out American attacks. Logarzo did not get forward as much in the first half, but still helped spray the ball out wide to help start Australian counterattacks on a couple of occasions. As the United States built a 4-1 lead shortly into the second half, Logarzo got forward more and began pressing as the Matildas attempted a furious comeback. 

In a game that featured 32 combined shots, the action began early. United States forward Megan Rapinoe scored directly from an eighth minute corner kick, with an incredible finish that bent over Australian goalkeeper Tegan Micah and into the side netting on the back post. Rapinoe’s goal marked the earliest strike in the history of the Women’s Bronze Medal Match and was the United States’ earliest goal in the Olympic tournament.

Against the run of play, Australia equalized less than 10 minutes later. Following a misplayed pass on the United States back line, Australia forward Caitlin Foord picked up the ball and slid a pass through to fellow forward Sam Kerr. Kerr finished her run by blasting a left-footed shot through United States goalkeeper Adriana Franch in the 17th minute. Kerr nearly handed the Matildas the lead minutes later, as midfielder Tameka Yallop played a dangerous ball into the 18-yard box that Kerr met with her head. However, Franch made a quality save to keep the game level.

The United States added three more goals as the match developed. With Rapinoe scoring her second and forward Carli Lloyd adding two more to give the United States a 4-1 lead in the 51st minute that should’ve been comfortable enough to see out.

However, it wasn’t, and Lloyd’s composed finish ended up serving as the match winner. The Matildas flipped the script and began pressing themselves over the game’s final 40 minutes, while the United States sat back more to hold the lead. Foord made the first incision into the lead in the 54tth minute, with a looping header over Franch following a cross from forward Kyah Simon. Kerr hit the post with a headed effort of her own two minutes later.

In the dying stages of the match, Foord picked up her second assist of the match, playing a ball ahead to Australia forward Emily Gielnik, who had perhaps the best goal of a match filled with impressive finishes, burying the ball in the bottom corner from 25 yards away in the 90th minute. Australia attempted to use that lifeline to find an equalizer in stoppage time, but the late rally fell just short. 

Australia’s historic Olympic tournament ended just shy of a medal, but a Kansas City NWSL player is guaranteed a medal in Friday’s Gold Medal Match. Canada midfielder Desiree Scott looks to help lead her country to Olympic glory when Canada squares off against Sweden on Friday morning. The match kicks off at 7 a.m. CT on USA Network.