The USWNT followed up their 4-0 win with a 5-0 win against New Zealand on Friday night. The Football Ferns hosted the U.S. at Eden Park in Auckland, which will host the opening game of the 2023 World Cup. Over 12,700 people were in attendance, which once again broke the attendance record for a Football Ferns match.
Match notes
The lineup for Friday’s match looked different from the lineup featured on Tuesday, as seven new players got to start. Notable changes include Ashley Sanchez in the midfield for Lindsey Horan, who had to return to Lyon. Ashley Hatch started in place of Alex Morgan, whose leg was feeling tight during warmups. Up-and-coming superstar Trinity Rodman started in place of Midge Purce. Morgan was originally named captain for the night, but the armband was passed to Rose Lavelle after Morgan was scratched right before kickoff, which delighted USWNT fans everywhere.
A thing you have to remember about USWNT captain Rose Lavelle is just days ago she was on camera slapping Kristie Mewis in the face with a tortilla
— Claire Watkins (@ScoutRipley) January 21, 2023
This match started off more lively than the last and Hatch started off the scoring in the 22nd minute. Lavelle closed off the first half with a goal in the 39th minute. In the second half, Mal Swanson, who bagged two in the previous match, got on the scoresheet in the 53rd minute, followed by Lavelle again in the 74th minute. Taylor Kornieck closed off the scoring in the 80th minute. Lavelle ended the night with two goals and an assist.
A beauty of a ball from @schuerta finds @roselavelle to make it 2-0 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FnB83NRT20
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) January 21, 2023
The moral of the story from Friday night? It’s Rose Lavelle’s world and we’re just living in it.
MOOD BECAUSE CAPTAIN ROSE LAVELLE MAKES IT 2-0 FOR THE #USWNT 🫡🇺🇸🌹 pic.twitter.com/2Dk0lcszFc
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) January 21, 2023
The USWNT will play next in the SheBelieves Cup, which kicks off on Feb. 16 in Orlando, Florida. The tournament will feature the USWNT, Canada, Japan and Brazil. Follow me on Twitter and check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more women’s sports coverage. Want to start watching the NWSL and WSL? You can do that here.
