The U.S. women’s national team continued their winning ways to start the new year, picking up a 2-1 win over Australia in SheBelieves Cup action on Sunday.
The opening goal came just 42 seconds into the game, with Emma Sears connecting well with Jaedyn Shaw before the latter sent the ball to Lynn Biyendolo (formerly Williams), who scored her 22nd international goal. The hosts were fervent for the next half hour as they searched for a second goal, though Australia found a way to be more organized in the back and created a more level game heading into halftime and for the start of the second game.
A patient wait for the second goal finally ended in the 68th minute, with Michelle Cooper scoring her first USWNT goal. The play began with Claire Hutton, who sent the ball into the box to Ally Sentnor, who then carved her way around Australia’s defense. She then played a quick pass to Cooper, who scored from close range.
Australia pulled one back in the 80th minute courtesy of Michelle Heyman, who got on the end of a stellar cross from Hayley Raso to keep things competitive.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes once again used the game to experiment with fresh faces and new tactical ideas, putting out an entirely different lineup from Thursday’s 2-0 win over Colombia. Though there was a learning curve of sorts as an entirely new group of starters worked together, there were a lot of bright spots. While Cooper stands out after scoring her first international goal, midfielder Hatton also impressed in her debut while the likes of Sears, Shaw, Biyendolo and Sentnor performed well in attack.
The USWNT close out the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday against Japan at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium, where the winner of that game will win the competition.
