USWNT finally kicked off their Paris Olympics 2024 journey, facing Zambia in the opening group stage match. Fortunately, it turned out to be rather a dream start under Emma Hayes as the American ladies took a 3-0 lead inside the first 45 minutes, courtesy of Trinity Rodman’s opener and a remarkable brace from Mallory Swanson. But more than the perfect lead, eyes are on Swanson as with these two goals, she has broken a unique feat of her nation’s icon Carli Lloyd.

After Dennis Rodman’s daughter broke the deadlock within 17 minutes, Swanson went into beast mode, netting the second goal for the US at the 24-minute mark and adding the third in the following minute. Interestingly, numbers from OptaJack suggest that her two goals within a 66-second window are the fastest two goals in USWNT history. No other player has scored a brace this quickly, as the previous record was set by Carli Lloyd.

The USWNT icon’s feat was recorded at 2 minutes 19 seconds during the 2015 World Cup Final vs Japan, which Jill Ellis’ side had won 5-2. While Mallory may have scored the fastest brace, Canada’s Janine Beckie retains her crown for scoring the fastest goal in the history of women’s Olympics, which was coincidentally scored in the opening group stage match against Australia during the 2016 Rio Games.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s Christiane holds the record for scoring the fastest hat-trick in 13 minutes (34′, 35′, 45’+3). This feat stands not just in the Olympics, but also in the history of women’s soccer, achieved during the preliminary round game against Nigeria in Beijing 2008.

Still, Swanson’s achievement is remarkable in her own way. But she certainly wasn’t alone in creating history today vs Zambia.

Other USWNT stars who joined Mallory Swanson in the record book party

Head coach Emma Hayes made history as the first coach to lead the USWNT to a win in an opening major tournament match by a margin of three goals. Next up on the list is skipper Lindsey Horan who became the first player in the nation’s history to register two assists within the first 30 minutes of a major tournament match. Likewise, Naomi Girma also achieved an impressive feat by completing 96.3 percent of her passes against Zambia (79/82).

This number is the highest accuracy in a Women’s Olympics match since at least 2012 for a player with a minimum of 75 pass attempts. Lastly, showcasing collective brilliance, seven of the USWNT’s starters were 26 years old or younger, the highest number of such starters in a major tournament match since the 2007 World Cup group stage against Sweden. Be that as it may, seems like the new era has begun for the US Women’s National Team.