In the first of two friendlies for the US Women’s National Team this weekend, they put the hammer down on Thailand, winning 9-0. The goals came early and often as the women scored four in the first 45 minutes and five in the second half.
This game was always going to be rough for Thailand. But after failing to get out of the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics, the USWNT looked hungry from the get-go and did not let up until the final whistle.
Goals come fast and easy
The action got started immediately as the USA went ahead after only 40 seconds. Heather O’Reilly, who played her last international match, best Sunisa Srangthaisong down the right. She then floated a cross towards the back post to where Carli Lloyd hit a header into the back of the net.
Then, Christen Press got into the action in the fourth minute. A ball over the top of the defense found Lloyd inside the 18-yard-box. It looked as if Lloyd mishit a first-time shot but it fell perfectly to Press. Press, the Chicago Red Stars forward, made no mistake with her finishing, placing it into the back of the net.
With an assist already in the match, it was only a matter of time before O’Reilly got on the score sheet. And she did in the fifth minute. Carli Lloyd stormed into the box forcing the Thailand goalkeeper to come off her line. At the last possible moment, Lloyd squared a pass to O’Reilly who finished off the move in style.
A fourth goal was scored nine minutes before the halftime interval. Carli Lloyd, who was back to her dominate usual self, fed Tobin Heath inside the area. Heath retrieved the ball near the byline, worked her way back towards the middle before scoring from a very tight angle.
Goals continue to come in second half
While the goals did not come in quick succession like they did in the first half, they still came. The first was in the 60th minute, when Lloyd cleaned up a defensive mistake inside the box. Crystal Dunn scored six minutes after coming on as a second half substitute.
There was a bit of controversy in the 71st minute of the match, although it would not have changed the outcome. Anootsara Maijaren thought she had scored, and it looked like she did on replay, but neither the center nor assistant referee gave the goal. It would have been a fantastic moment for the Thai women who were played off the park from the very first whistle.
With five minutes left to go, Alex Morgan took a stab from outside the box to find the bottom left hand corner, To round of the night, Alex Morgan scored the best individual goal of the evening. She beat a couple of Thai defenders down the right before firing a low shot past the goalkeeper to complete her brace.
Coming up
The United States should face a little tougher test on Sunday afternoon. There, they welcome in the Netherlands for a match which will be played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST and can be seen on Fox Sports 1.