By Amelia Hirtle
With a somewhat disjointed win over Haiti, the US looked to move on in their group play as they took on Jamaica. The Jamaicans came out firing in their previous match against Mexico and got a 1-0 result.
What looked to be an interesting matchup turned into quick work for the Americans. Sophia Smith scored two goals in the first eight-minute of the match and the Jamaicans looked like they had tired legs. The US was able to exploit the spaces available to them and pounce early.
This US lineup offered a different look, with Naomi Girma and Sofia Huerta being inserted into the backline. Ashley Sanchez got the start alongside Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle. Up top, Ashley Hatch played in the middle with, now consistent starters in Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh. Alyssa Naeher got the start in the goal and after the match, Vlatko Andonovski said that the decision on the starting keeper position against Mexico would be decided in the coming days.
The Americans were given a tough task in defending Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, the star forward for the Jamaican side. With mishaps and miscommunications in the previous matchup, the US looked to clean up their defense and they did. The defense of the Americans rendered Shaw almost unnoticeable. The combination of Girma and Alana Cook was strong and never wavered throughout the match. It is no surprise, as both players have continued to show their ability in their NWSL clubs.
As for the offense, Andonovski did mention he would like the team to be more clinical in the final third. Smith got her brace, Lavelle contributed, Kristie Mewis scored on a penalty kick, and Trinity Rodman had a tap-in goal to make the final score 5-0. However, some misses by Pugh and Ashley Hatch should have had the US up by more. In the end, the team will feel confident moving on to their final match in group play.
With the help from Haiti in the second match of the evening, the USWNT has now qualified for their 12th consecutive World Cup. There is still a lot on the line, however. On Monday, July 11th, they will face off against Mexico, who is hanging on to their qualification hopes by a thread. The tournament champions will also secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics while the second and third place team will compete in a playoff for an additional Olympic spot.