In their first game of 2016, and last one before the start of the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship from February 10th until 21st, the USWNT celebrated a dominant 5-0 win against the Republic of Ireland at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego in front of 23,309 spectators.
It was a historical night for many reasons: Alex Morgan collected her 100th cap and got rewarded with the captain's armband for the night, Carli Lloyd scored an impressive hat-trick and the 17-year-old youngster Mallory Pugh collected her first international goal after a strong header.
A very one-sided game as expected
Just six minutes into the game, Tobin Heath's throw-in found Alex Morgan, who quickly crossed it into the penalty area where an unmarked Carli Lloyd gave the hosts a 1-0 lead with her right foot. Ireland's defence did themselves no favours and acted way too carelessly, with no-one taking care of the world's best player.
Even though USWNT head coach Jill Ellis made quite a few changes to the starting line-up, the current World Champions needed no time to reorganise their game and remained dominant the whole time.
Meghan Klingenberg and Heath especially were very active and created a lot of chances. In minute 21st, Klingenberg passed it to Heath, who crossed it to Morgan. Morgan headed it on goal but Ireland's keeper Emma Byrne managed to punch it out. Lloyd took advantage of the poor clearance and headed it into the net for her second goal of the day.
FIFA's World Player of the Year 2015 Lloyd collided with Ireland's number four, Louise Quinn, during that header but was able to return to the game shortly after.
Lloyd starts 2016 with a hat-trick
Seven minutes after she scored her second goal of the night, Lloyd took advantage of another individual mistake by Ireland's defence. Diane Caldwell's pass back to Byrne was too sloppy and Lloyd quickly ran past the back-line to score her third goal, officially claiming a hat-trick after just 28 minutes. The forward added her sixth career hat-trick last night and has scored a total of 82 international goals now. She is in sixth place on the USWNT all-scoring list.
Alex Morgan became the 34th player in the history of the USA to play 100 games for her country and therefore the 26-year-old was eager to score that night. The forward was very present during the first half and just a few seconds before it ended, she got her goal. Lloyd's header bounced off the post after a great ball from Crystal Dunn, but this time it was Morgan who was attentive and tapped it in, making it 4-0.
Mallory Pugh steals the show
Ireland improved in the second half and played with more grit, and were not as fearful as in the first half. They were able to attack and press a little more which resulted in the USWNT not being able to create as many chances. Both coaches also made a few changes; Ellis used of all her six substitutions.
Morgan with her 100th cap, Lloyd with the hat-trick, but the news was full of Mal Pugh after the game. The 17-year-old youngster made her official debut for the USWNT after she got subbed on for Morgan, and was also the player who got the second-half’s only goal in the 83rd minute. Christen Press managed to cross the ball before running out of bounds and it was perfectly placed for Pugh, who quickly headed it into the goal. It was a strong play by both of them and a nice end to a very fair friendly.
Next up for the Republic of Ireland is a meeting "behind closed doors" with the USA U23 squad before heading to the Cyprus Cup in March prior to the resumption of the EURO 2017 campaign in April, with away games against Montenegro and Spain. The USWNT is heading to Texas to begin the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. The current World Champions will open the Olympic Qualifying Championship in Group A against Costa Rica on Wednesday, February 10th, 2016.
