The U.S. Women’s National Team showcased their strength and depth in a commanding 4-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland during an international friendly held in Denver, sparking concerns for the visitors ahead of their rematch on Sunday in Cincinnati.
Head coach Emma Hayes opted for a strategy that emphasized younger talents from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), resting most of her seasoned European stars except for defender Naomi Girma. This decision proved fruitful, as the American squad displayed an impressive level of energy and coordination throughout the match.
The scoring began at the 18-minute mark when Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson rose above the defense to head in a corner taken short by Rose Lavelle. Ireland’s defense struggled to regain their composure, allowing the USA to capitalize on defensive lapses.
As the half continued, the Irish side found themselves increasingly overrun by the superior American squad. Despite attempts at brave defending from players like Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, and Jessie Stapleton, the visitors could not maintain possession or effectively counterattack.
In a particularly difficult moment for the Republic of Ireland, USA midfielder Sam Coffey found space and maneuvered past Irish defenders to net a second goal during first-half stoppage time, delivering a left-footed shot that left the Irish team with a daunting 2-0 deficit at halftime.
The second half began with high hopes for Ireland, who aimed to regroup and potentially knock one back against their opponents. However, instead of a turnaround, it was the Americans who elevated their game further. Just seven minutes after the break, Rose Lavelle finished off a flowing team move by scoring from close range, extending the USA’s lead to an insurmountable 3-0.
The contest was further compounded for Ireland when Alyssa Thompson added the fourth goal in the 63rd minute. Thompson, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, danced past defender Jessie Stapleton before curling an exquisite shot off the post and into the net.
In the latter stages of the match, Hayes utilized her bench, bringing on a number of substitutes who were hungry to contribute. Among them was Erin Healy, who made her senior debut with the Republic of Ireland, although her impact on the game was limited.
As the clock wound down, the U.S. continued to threaten the Irish goal, with Emily Sonnett and Olivia Moultrie both coming close to adding to the tally. Moultrie almost struck gold, hitting the bar with a powerful effort, but the USA ultimately settled for a 4-0 victory.
This result marked a chastening experience for the Republic of Ireland, who were missing key players like Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Campbell due to various circumstances, compounding their difficulties against a well-prepared American team.
Ireland’s head coach Carla Ward recognized the obstacles faced when traveling without several of their top players, including Katie McCabe, Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne, and Leanne Kiernan. With their roster stretched thin, the challenges were clear as they fell short against a well-organized and dominant U.S. team.
Overall, the Americans demonstrated their readiness ahead of the next face-off, with confidence bolstered by a comprehensive performance. As the two teams prepare to meet again in Cincinnati, Ireland must regroup and strategize to mitigate the impact of their previous defeat.
image source from：rte
