Alyssa Thompson nets first USWNT goal in win over Iceland - ESPN

AUSTIN, Texas — Alyssa Thompson scored her first goal for the United States women's national team, and Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith scored late on Thursday at Q2 Stadium as the Americans defeated Iceland 3-1 in their first match since winning a fifth Olympic gold medal in August.

Thompson broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, cutting inside to put the ball on her right foot and smashing a shot off the underside of the crossbar near the far corner.

«Coming onto the field and wearing this jersey in the beginning, I was like, 'This is surreal,'» Thompson said at halftime. «I just — I can't describe how I feel. I'm so happy.»

Thursday's match was the start of the USWNT's victory tour since the Paris Games. The Americans play Iceland again on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee, and Argentina on Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky.

«I know she's committed to looking for the next level in her play, and I think you see just how threatening and dangerous she is,» U.S. manager Emma Hayes said of Thompson after the match. «It's not an easy goal, drop in from the left-hand side and roof it in the top corner. But she is someone who is — her international career started at a very early stage. That's why I believe it does take time.

»Maybe she wasn't ready before, but I can see from tonight's performance here that she offers a lot for us going forward, and I was super pleased for her goal and performance."

Iceland equalized early in the second half when Selma Magnusdottir scored on a low, left-footed strike from just outside the box after evading three USWNT midfielders.

The visitors, ranked 13th in the world, were organized defensively and outshot the USWNT in the first half despite holding only about one-third of possession.

But the USWNT