Goals from Lynn Williams, Lindsey Horan, and Emma Sears earned a 3-1 friendly victory and second consecutive win for the U.S. women’s national team over Iceland.
Held at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee on Sunday, the game kicked off with plenty of the ball for the home side that maintained 64.2% possession during the first half. Nonetheless, it was Iceland that opened up the scoring thanks to a stunning 31st-minute goal directly off a corner from Karolina Vilhjalmsdottir.
Seeking to alter her approach by the midway point of the friendly, USWNT manager Emma Hayes responded by making a handful of impactful substitutions.
Following the half-time break, Alyssa Thompson, Emily Fox, and Horan entered the field. Shortly afterwards, Hayes then brought on Sophia Smith, Williams, and Sears. The tactical maneuvers paid off, leading to an equalizer from Williams in the 72nd minute and Horan’s goal in the 76th, as well as Sears’ goal in the 93rd.
With a win in hand and an undefeated streak under Hayes, the USWNT will play their third friendly this month when they face Argentina at Louisville, Kentucky’s Lynn Family Stadium on Oct. 30.
Manager rating (scale of 1-10)
Emma Hayes, 8 — Unafraid to throw numbers forward in the second half, Hayes was fearless with her…
