Paris 2024 women's football: USWNT to be without key midfielder Sam Coffey for last eight clash vs. Japan

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Samantha Coffey USWNT football at Olympic Games Paris 2024
Picture by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

The United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) have cruised into the quarter-finals of Paris 2024.

With three wins in as many games, the Americans have well and truly hit the ground running under new head coach Emma Hayes.

The USA completed their perfect record in Group B with a 2-1 win over Australia on Wednesday 31 July.

Trinity Rodman scored the opening goal of the evening, as the electric front three of Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson continued to run riot.

Second-half substitute Korbin Albert sealed the three points with an audacious effort from range, flying beyond a diving Mackenzie Arnold between the sticks.

There is, however, one slight dampener from the evening for the Americans.

Just three minutes into the game, key midfielder Sam Coffey picked up a yellow card that will see her suspended for the USA's quarter-final clash with Japan.

Having started all three of their encounters so far and bringing a lot of quality to the middle of the park, she is set to be a big miss for Hayes's side going into the first knockout stage clash.

This is not new territory for the four-time Olympic champions, though. They were forced to be without first-choice centre back Tierna Davidson against the Matildas and looked set to keep a clean sheet but for a late Alanna Kennedy goal.

Such talented depth in their squad means the USA are capable of navigating most absences from their lineup.

It helps that Coffey's most natural replacement, Albert, has had plenty of minutes on the pitch, albeit from the bench to date.

The 20-year-old is capable of holding her own, and alongside experienced captain Lindsey Horan it may well be the best formula for the USA without their no. 17 available.

Next up for Hayes and her team is a 41st meeting with great rivals Japan in the last eight, on Saturday 3 August.