The U.S. women’s national team defeated New Zealand 5-0 in an international friendly Saturday in New Zealand. Here’s what you need to know:
- Rose Lavelle scored twice for USWNT, first in the 39th minute and again in the 74th minute.
- Mallory Swanson added a goal after scoring twice during the team’s 4-0 win against New Zealand on Wednesday. She now has 28 career goals for the U.S.
- Ashley Hatch and Taylor Kornieck also contributed goals Saturday, with Hatch opening the scoring in the 22nd minute and Kornieck knocking in a shot in the 80th minute.
- The match set an attendance record for the second time this week with attendance announced at 12,721 at Eden Park. It was the first time the Ferns played at the venue.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
A cohesive U.S. performance
It was definitely a more cohesive, flowing performance from the USWNT on Saturday for the second match against the Ferns. Trinity Rodman provided a perfectly weighted and textured ball, her third assist of these two friendlies, to Hatch in the first half — and after that, it was all the U.S. once again. No first-game-of-2023 jitters here, just a solid performance from the team expected to dominate once again. — Linehan
Midfield experimentation pays off
With Lindsey Horan returning for club duties with…
