The U.S. Women’s National Team rolled to its second clean sheet win of the team’s World Cup Send-off Series.
Jill Ellis’ side dominated New Zealand to earn a 5-0 win on Thursday evening in St. Louis. Carli Lloyd scored a pair of goals off the bench, while Rose Lavelle, Tobin Heath, and Sam Mewis all chipped in tallies.
Ali Krieger also made her 100th appearance for the USWNT, coming off the bench as a second-half substitute.
It took some time but the USWNT broke the deadlock with a pair of goals before halftime. Megan Rapinoe’s low cross was tapped home by Heath in the 35th minute before Lavelle doubled the hosts advantage five minutes later.
Lindsey Horan’s cross to the back post was finished nicely by Lavelle. The streaking midfielder dove and found the top-left corner.
Lloyd came off the bench and scored 44 seconds after stepping onto the pitch. The midfielder was in the right place at the right time, tapping home Heath’s low cross for her 109th career USWNT goal.
Lloyd finished her second of the night in the 83rd minute thanks to a great pass from Christen Press. Press played a ball across the box, which Lloyd tapped in for her fifth goal in her last three appearances.
Mewis added a late goal a minute later to cap the final score at 5-0 from Busch Stadium.
The USWNT has now outscored opponents 8-0 this month and will conclude its three-match schedule on May 26th against Mexico at Red Bull Arena.
After a slow start, the USWNT starting connecting with their passes and New Zealand was out of business. For me, the most encouraging part of the evening was the performance of the substitutes. Carly Lloyd continued her signature approach to things by always being in the right place at the right time. Mallory Pugh again looked like she was ready for a starting assignment at right wing, should that need arise. Ali Krieger, while somewhat tentative a couple of times, appears to be close to her old self, and ready to start if called upon. And Sam Mewis is now beginning to look like the next Michelle Akers, with her ability to score from just about anywhere on the pitch Sam would be Center Midfield on any team except the USWNT.
Thus, the 3 substitutes allowed in Tournament Games, appear to be able to start if called upon without any diminution in the talent level. The only thing that could stop the U. S. would be a rash of key injuries, bad officiating, or super bad-luck like they had at Abby Wambaugh’s last match against China. Right now, things appears to be just about where Jill Ellis probably wants them.
The Mexico match will give everyone a chance to fine-tune their game, and then we will get down to business!!!!