The U.S. women’s rugby team has a chance to make history on Tuesday in Paris, but it will have a tough road ahead if it wants to bring home a medal from the tournament.
The U.S. took a big step toward that goal with a win over Great Britain on Monday, but things won’t get any easier on Tuesday, the final day of the tournament.
The reason the U.S. could make history is simple: This will be the third time rugby sevens has been played in the Olympics, but the U.S. has yet to win a medal in either the men’s or women’s event.
Great Britain, which had finished fourth in each of the past two Olympic Games, was a formidable opponent for the U.S. team, but the U.S. won an impressive 17-7 victory and advanced to face New Zealand in the semifinals.
Needless to say, things aren’t going to get any easier. New Zealand are the cash medal champions, winning silver in 2016, and will be hoping to continue their dominance in Paris this week. They certainly did, recording a stunning 55-5 win over China on Monday in the quarter-finals.
Even if the U.S. manages to get past New Zealand, they would face either Australia, who won the 2016 Olympic Games, or Canada, which won the bronze medal that year.
Tuesday’s semifinals will begin at 8:30 a.m. CST and will air on USA and Peacock. The finals will take place around 12:45 p.m. CST and will air on E! and Peacock.
