The USWNT kicked off the first of four send off matches before the 2015 WWC with a 4-0 win over New Zealand at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Three of the four goals for the US came from the back line, including one from St. Louis native Lori Chalupny.
The US lineup was similar to that which beat France in the Algarve final, minus a few notable changes. Megan Rapinoe made her return to the starting XI taking up the left flank opposite Christen Press. The move allowed Carli Lloyd, who had been playing in an outside role the majority of the year, to move back to a more familiar central role.
For Ellis, these changes made an impact almost immediately. By having a player like Rapinoe who is comfortable, confident and used to playing wide, the US was able to utilize the flank more effectively than in previous matches. This allowed for more variation and options in the US attack, which was dominant from the first whistle.
The US had several chances early on as both Press and Amy Rodriguez nearly found the back of the net. With New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Naylor out of position in an attempt to thwart the US attack, Press found herself with a wide open net but puled it over the top of the goal. Rodriguez received a well placed throw in inside of the box and with Naylor off her line squared up to goal, but her shot went off the crossbar. Rodriguez would hit the woodwork again later in the first half.
The pressure and perseverance by the US paid off moments later as they tallied their first goal. Rapinoe’s corner kick was headed out of immediate danger but sent back in on a cross by Krieger. The ball was cleared again, but only to Meghan Klingenberg at the top of the box who one timed it and scored a beauty much like the one she scored in CONCACAF qualifying in the fall, giving the US a 1-0 lead.
New Zealand showed promise in their offensive efforts as they were able to maintain possession and take the ball into the attacking zone on several occasions but were unable to cause any real threats. Their efforts of sending searching long balls deep into the zone were unsuccessful against an organized US defense and Hope Solo.
The remainder of the first and much of the second half was quiet for both sides. The US did well to keep possession and pressure on New Zealand but was unable to add to their 1-0 lead. New Zealand did well to contain the US attack while attempting to regroup and create some opportunities of their own, but were unsuccessful.
All of this changed in the 76th minute when the floodgates opened and the US scored three goals in a five minute time span; the first coming from St. Louis native Lori Chalupny. Rapinoe took a short corner which she received back took towards the goal before kicking it back out to a wide open Chalupny who one timed it into the top corner to give the US a 2-0 lead.
The next goal came only two minutes later from Julie Johnston who scored from the same combination from which she scored her first international goal in the Algarve tournament last month. Lauren Holiday sent a solid free kick into the center of the box which Johnston found with her head and sent rising over Naylor for her second international goal, and the third of the match for the US.
Morgan Brian wrapped up the scoring just minutes after entering the match. New Zealand turned the ball over right to Sydney Leroux who caught Brian streaking towards the goal. Leroux sent a short through ball to Brian who was able to outpace the defender and slot it through to the far post to make it 4-0.
Overall, this was the best performance by the team this year. Having Rapinoe on the outside really opened up attacking options and allowed for more creativity in the attack which provided the US with a lot of the excellent chances they had throughout the match. Carli Lloyd paired well with Holiday in the central midfield and the two did well to help play through the midfield on both sides of the ball.
Amy Rodriguez, who has seen more time in 2015, though perhaps arguably not as much as she should, made the most of her starting role in this match. Though she was unlucky to not convert on her chances, she put forth a solid effort and made smart decisions on the pitch.
Everything appears to be coming together for the US, but while this match highlighted marked improvement in team performance, there are still areas that need to be polished before the team heads to Canada for the start of the World Cup. Though the US won by a 4-0 margin, three of those goals came from defenders, one from a midfielder and zero from a forward, though not for lack of trying.
After the initial goal in the first half, the others came in the 76th minute and beyond. There were several missed opportunities, especially in the first half that the US will need to put away, especially against tougher opponents. New Zealand did not have a performance on par with what their potential is, especially once the floodgates opened late in the second half, but the US could regret not putting away those early chances against stronger opposition.
The USWNT have a break before their next international competition in which players will join their club teams in preparation for the start of the NSWL season before reconvening for camp on May 1. The team faces off against Ireland on May 10 at 11:30am PT from San Jose, CA.
