Three OL Reign Players Feature in USWNT Win Over New Zealand
In its first match of the year, the United States Women’s National Team defeated New Zealand 4-0 in front of a record-breaking crowd on New Zealand’s home soil. Four second half goals led the USA to victory, along with appearances from three OL Reign players.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle started the match and played for the first 61 minutes, notching one assist on forward Alex Morgan’s 60th minute goal. OL Reign defenders Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta both subbed onto the field in the second half, putting in a solid 45-minute shift to maintain the shutout for the USWNT. Newly acquired defender Emily Sonnett was available for selection on the bench but did not make an appearance in the match.
The first half started off slow for the USA, as New Zealand was displaying impressive discipline on defense. However, the United States largely dictated the tempo of the match, earning 74% of possession. Half chances for the U.S. came, including one for Lavelle, but the team couldn’t sneak anything past New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler.
As the end of the half approached, it looked like the USA had found the opening goal of the match, when forward Mallory Swanson capitalized on a set piece, but the goal was flagged offside, and the half continued to a scoreless end.
After halftime, OL Reign defenders Alana Cook and Sofia Huerta entered for Naomi Girma and Crystal Dunn respectively. Just seven minutes into the half, the USA found its first goal of the night, when forward Trinity Rodman crossed a ball into Swanson, who made no mistake heading the ball into the back of the net.
The United States didn’t wait long before doubling the lead. This time it was Lavelle with the cheeky assist, playing a backheel pass to split two defenders into the penalty area to set forward Alex Morgan free in the box. Despite a difficult angle, Morgan found the back of the net with her low shot.
Two minutes later, Swanson found her second of the night, using her speed to get on the end of the long ball from midfielder Ashley Sanchez and beat the goalkeeper one on one to bring the score to 3-0. Substitute Lynn Williams added the final goal of the night in the 74th minute, heading a cross from Rodman past the goalkeeper.
Following this 4-0 win, the USA takes on New Zealand once again, this time at Eden Park in Auckland. The match kicks off on Friday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT and can be streamed on HBO Max, Universo and Peacock.