After playing to a scoreless draw on Thursday, the USWNT looked to get back to their dominating ways against New Zealand. The first half ended up being somewhat of an anomaly for everyone involved. Kiwi defender Meikayla Moore was credited with three own goals before she was subbed off in the 40th minute. Unfortunately for the center back, she did not have any luck on her side during her 50th cap. The first goal came off a shot from USA forward Sophia Smith. Moore tried to block it, but the ball went off her leg and into the net. Just a minute later, Moore took a ball off the face that the keeper was unable to save. The last goal came in the 36th minute where Moore mistimed her attempt to clear the ball to the sideline and instead poked it into the goal.
The first half may have been disappointing for the home team because they were not able to score on their own, but the goals were created by their ability to press and move the ball quickly.
The second half was more of what the USA was looking for. Within minutes, the home team scored their first goal of the She Believes tournament off a cross from Sofia Huerta and a finishing header from Ashley Hatch. Mallory Pugh finished the scoring in the 93rd minute to end the match at 5-0.
After the game, head coach Vlatko Andonovski told the media that this tournament and the upcoming months will be a process. He said that the development of the players is the most important, and with World Cup qualifiers around the corner, he is right. The test will be how the team will continue to gel and work together throughout the months ahead.
It is important to note that USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher started this match which was her first game back since her injury at the Tokyo Olympics.
The third and final match for the Americans comes with a trophy on the line. Currently, Iceland sits atop the table with 6 points where the home team is in second with four. That match will take place on Wednesday at 9 PM ET. New Zealand and the Czech Republic will play at 6 PM ET.