The good and bad from the USWNT's Olympic debut

The squad buried away three early goals thanks to its star forwards, but it wasn't always smooth sailing. Here's the good and the bad from the USWNT's first match of the 2024 Paris Games.

Good: Mallory Swanson's return to the biggest stage 

Mallory Swanson, the team's most dangerous attacking threat, scored the fastest two goals by a single USWNT player in major tournament history with a 66-second brace.

It was the Chicago Red Stars striker's first major tournament since tearing her patella tendon in 2022. Her versatility has proved instrumental for an American attack that at times felt one-dimensional. With Swanson in top form, few defenses stand a chance.

Good: Squad rotation

Olympic soccer teams have a tight and fast schedule, playing every three days with a shortened 18-player roster. The Americans' comfortable margin allowed them to rotate players, giving much needed rest to the recently injured Rose Lavelle by subbing her at half time. Key players Swanson and Lindsey Horan exited in the 65th minute.

Seven of the USWNT's eight first-time Olympians saw the field Thursday. Getting experience for those players could prove pivotal deeper into the tournament.

Bad: The Sophia Smith injury

Unfortunately for the first-time Olympian, Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith had to exit the match before halftime after an apparent foot injury.

The Americans were unable to score with Smith off the field. She assisted Trinity Rodman's opening goal and if she's to miss additional time, the squad's depth and scoring threat weakens.

Bad: Efficiency in front of goal 

Despite an eight-minute scoring frenzy in the first half, the USWNT failed to score after Pauline Zulu's red card took Zambia down to 10 players in the 34th minute. The Americans registered 27 shots with an expected goals mark of nearly five, reminiscent of their final send-off game's scoring efficiency. 

The United States and Germany, who defeated Australia 3-0, both have a plus-three goal difference and remain tied for first in the group. With goal difference the tiebreaker, putting more goals away would've given the Americans some breathing room.

The two heavyweights face off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.