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(Photo Credit: Kylie Graham | Imagn Images)
After two consecutive games scoring a goal in the first minute, it took the U.S. women’s national team longer to find the back of the net in their win over New Zealand — though only seven minutes longer, that is. Scoring the second international goal of her career just eight minutes into Wednesday’s clash was Emma Sears, whose night was only beginning. The 24-year-old forward made her first start of the October international window at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City after coming off the bench in the games against Portugal, opening the floodgates for what was to come in the commanding 6-0 victory.
Things progressed at a steady pace in the first half of the match, which presented another opportunity for head coach Emma Hayes to build the team she described earlier this week as both the “present and the future” of women’s soccer in the U.S.
The Americans’ starters averaged just 17.3 caps heading into Wednesday’s matchup. That made them the least capped team the U.S. women’s national team has started in 25 years — though such statements have become seemingly commonplace in the Hayes era. While getting young players experience has been a priority throughout Hayes’ tenure at the helm of the team, that focus has been particularly apparent in this slate of friendlies. And, as with Sunday’s final score, it was a promising outcome for the Americans.
Wednesday night’s starting lineup featured another six swaps from Sunday’s redemptive win over Portugal. It included a senior team debut for San Diego Wave defender Kennedy Wesley, now the 25th player given their first cap by Hayes in her 27 matches. While Sunday’s starters featured 100 appearances between them — excluding veteran Emily Sonnett — Wednesday’s roster totaled just 77, veteran captain Rose Lavelle (114) aside. Three teenagers (Jordyn Bugg, Lily Yohannes and Claire Hutton) took the field for a second consecutive game, with Hayes again watching from the sidelines for key markers of development.
“That team has the least amount of caps of any team we’ve put together in 25 years,” Hayes told reporters after the match. “That’s what we want. We’re developing real competition in our squad. The expectations have always been here for this team, we understand that, but internally, the important thing for us is that we get to be ourselves and we get to play the way we want to play. I think the last two games is another step. That’s all it is, it’s no more than that, but it’s starting to look like the team we are trying to create.”
But it was one of the more seasoned players (relatively speaking) who extended the U.S. lead to two as Chelsea’s Catarina Macario notched her 12th goal in her 27th appearance for the senior national team. Rose Lavelle made it three just ten minutes later, finally finding the back of the net after two blocked attempts and relentless pressure on goal. Hayes had high praise for her captain after the match, calling Lavelle “one of the best players I’ve ever coached.”
Despite, or perhaps in light of, the hot start, Hayes made some swaps after the half. Veterans Lindsey Heaps (nee Horan) and Sam Coffey stepped in as the coach continued toying with her lineup and, at times, catered to the chants of the crowd in the case of Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta, as the score ticked exponentially higher.
Sears ended the evening with a hat trick, scoring at the the 55 and 84-minute marks. The first two of Sears’ scores were assisted by Kansas City’s own Michelle Cooper. Macario also notched a brace of her own, scoring the fifth goal for the Americans.
While Hayes may not have locked in on a roster by Wednesday night, she did showcase the talent and depth at her disposal, particularly among the younger players. After closing the October window in emphatic fashion, the U.S. women’s national team will return to action against Italy on Nov. 28.
