By Amelia Hirtle
The USWNT were back in action as they kicked off their 2023 World Cup campaign in New Zealand, which will also play host to this year’s WC.
With just six months until the tournament begins, it is important for the USWNT to start the year off strong. Midge Purce and Lynn Williams returned to the roster with forwards Sophia Smith and Megan Rapinoe out due to injury. Both Purce and Williams are looking to make a case for themselves to be worked back into the squad. Williams had been out due to an injury she sustained almost a year ago.
On the New Zealand side, they were missing a few regular players, as this international window falls outside of the FIFA timeframe, thus making it so that some players were not released from their clubs.
Although it is a new year, the US side got off to a similarly slow start as we have seen in the past. In fact, they were unable to score in the first half. They had multiple chances; the best coming from Lindsey Horan, who found herself alone in front of the net, with only the keeper in her way. Horan had little power under her shot and the goalkeeper was able to make a kick save to keep the score at 0-0. Midge Purce took what would have started the campaign for goal of the year, but it went off the post.
Some changes at the half saw Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez inserted. Their attacking mindset was clear from the beginning, as the US scored four goals in 20 minutes, with Rodman notching two assists.
The USWNT will play New Zealand again on Saturday, February 28th at 10 PM ET on HBO Max. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski will then make his decision on the She Believes Cup roster, which will held on February 16-22 against Japan, Canada, and Brazil.