Emma Sears tallied three goals as the Stars and Stripes wrapped up their October schedule with a dominant 6-0 triumph over New Zealand on Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri.
U.S. head coach Emma Hayes again altered her starting lineup, similar to what she implemented in a pair of exhibition games against Portugal prior to the contest with New Zealand.
Each of Sears’ scores originated from short range, one in the initial 45 minutes and two in the latter half, as the U.S. controlled play against the 33rd-ranked team globally and recorded their highest goal total in a match under Hayes. Michelle Cooper assisted on two of the goals.
Catarina Macario and Rose Lavelle each found the net with precise, first-time strikes to complete the scoring in the opening half, giving the U.S. a 3-0 advantage at the intermission. Lavelle’s goal — arguably the finest for the U.S. on Wednesday — occurred when she capitalized on a loose ball and scored with a bending, long-distance volley from 20 yards away.
“Rose Lavelle stands out as one of the most gifted players I’ve had the pleasure of coaching,” Hayes commented about her captain for the evening following the match. “Her entire game, characterized by elegant movement between the lines and seamless connection from defense to attack, is remarkable. In my opinion, she possesses not only skill and refinement but also the necessary attributes to overcome top-tier opponents.
“That goal, specifically how she struck the rising ball, is a feat that few players can achieve.”
The U.S. maintained its offensive pressure on New Zealand in the second half, with Sears adding her second goal and Macario following shortly after with her second, courtesy of a powerful shot from the right side of the penalty area.
Sears concluded her exceptional performance with another goal from close range, powerfully sending a loose ball into the upper portion of the New Zealand goal, marking the first hat trick by a U.S. woman since Sophia Wilson’s feat in April of 2022 against Uzbekistan.
Defender Kennedy Wesley was in the starting eleven, making her first appearance, thereby becoming the 25th player to receive their first cap under Hayes. The starting defenders on Wednesday had amassed a combined total of just 11 appearances for the national team.
The game took place at CPKC stadium, the first stadium designed specifically for women’s soccer globally, which is the home ground for the NWSL’s Kansas City Current. Cooper is a member of the Current.
Prior to the match, the New Zealand team paid tribute to former captain Ali Riley, who has retired from professional soccer. Riley represented the team in 163 games.
The United States played without several key players who secured the gold medal at the Olympics. Trinity Rodman is recovering from a right MCL injury, while Wilson and Mallory Swanson are currently on maternity leave.
The Americans entered the game with a 19-1-1 record versus New Zealand. The two teams last played each other leading up to the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where the U.S. won both matches in Auckland.
Notwithstanding its success on Wednesday, the U.S. experienced a defeat in one of its three matches during the October series of friendly games, losing 2-1 to Portugal on Oct. 23. Hayes’ team responded by defeating Portugal in their second encounter three days later with a 3-1 victory.
The USWNT will play its concluding matches of the year against Italy on Nov. 28 in Orlando, Florida, and on Dec. 1 in Fort Lauderdale.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
