America Korea Express:
June 4, St. Paul, Minnesota
united states of america 3 South Korea 0. Goals: Dunn 13, Smith 67, Johannes 82.
at.: 19,169.
Despite a torrential rain at Allianz Field, the U.S. Women’s National Team defeated South Korea 3-0. Emma Hayes‘The American coach, playing just his second game as head coach, found himself under early pressure from the visitors, but Crystal Dunn’s goal after just 13 minutes eased the tension for the home side.
Coach Hayes made nine changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s 4-0 win over the same opponent as he continued to select his 18-man roster for this summer’s Paris Olympics. Perhaps due to South Korea’s improved fitness or the multiple changes to the lineup, the U.S. struggled in the first hour of the game, but after extensive changes in the second half, a tired Korea side was unable to handle the offensive power of the benched U.S.
Sophia Smith His 35th international goal made the score 2-0, but the 16-year-old Lily Johannes And in his debut match, he scored the third goal with a powerful shot, which became the highlight of the match.
The USA held 68 percent of the ball and had twice as many shots as South Korea (14 to 7), but many of their chances came in the final 30 minutes in a game that highlighted the depth of this U.S. team and the tough decisions Hayes will have to make in the coming weeks.
American player ratings
(1=low, 5=medium, 10=high)
Goalkeeper
With regular Alyssa Naher out injured, Hayes gave the opportunity to two backup goalkeepers in the two friendlies against South Korea. Casey Murphy And Jane Campbell started as well, and she had an even better performance on Tuesday night than Jane Campbell did on Saturday.
Murphy pulled off a spectacular save to deny Ji So-Yun from scoring from a free kick on the edge of the USA goal box just after the half-hour mark. With perfect footwork, the 28-year-old was able to take the ball as it curved around the wall, gain the momentum she needed to smash it away from the goal.
Murphy made a pair of saves that didn’t require much skill or athleticism on the night, a promising one for the U.S.’s No. 2 goalkeeper.
Player (Club) Caps/Goals (Age)
7
Casey Murphy (North Carolina College) 19/0 (28)
Defender
Defensively, this was again a classic 4-4-2 defensive configuration, but when in possession of the ball the USA again emerged in a more subtle 3-4-3 shape. Jenna Nyswonger Hayes was again asked to step up into midfield and occasionally push forward to provide width and crosses, meaning his team played with three centre-backs for the majority of the game.
Nyswonger got his reward early on as a key player on the left wing for the USA, firing in a low ball that led to the opening goal. Nyswonger was the only player to play the full 90 minutes in the first leg and start in the second leg. The Gotham FC player looked in good spirits, playing 62 minutes in Minnesota.
Also, unlike the previous game against South Korea, the U.S. defense had to deal with a lot of pressure on the ball in St. Paul, but for the most part, they handled the opposing team’s high press admirably.
Emily Sonnett He was physically gifted and made quick reads to release the ball with short passes or call on Murphy to clean up. He also showed vital communication skills as a veteran in an under-capped backline, and nearly scored a header from a set piece.
This is Sam StaabHe made his first start for the United States in 2019. He was the epitome of composure, struggling with South Korea’s attacks and showing off some deft touches with his left foot to change the course of play.
If any player was exhausted by Lee Kum-min’s relentless pressure, it was Casey KrugerShe was under pressure for almost the entire first half, was fouled twice and committed two fouls herself, and though she eventually cringed, the 33-year-old never crumbled, providing some crucial blocks on the edge of the box.
Player (Club) Caps/Goals (Age)
6
Jenna Nyswonger (Gotham FC) 9/2 (23)
Five
Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars) 2/0 (27)
Five
Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) 91/2 (30)
Five
Casey Kruger (Washington Spirit) 49/0 (33)
Midfielder
South Korea didn’t lock down as much defensively as they did on Saturday, making it a much tougher game for the U.S. midfield, which unfortunately wobbled for much of Tuesday’s rain-soaked game.
Hays’ decision to relocate Lindsey Horan Her transition to a deeper role remains perplexing. It’s clearly not a natural fit. No U.S. player has lost the ball more than the captain. She looked nervous when receiving the ball from Staab and Sonnett, suddenly getting into trouble and unable to find an outlet. It’s not all Horan’s fault, but her best moments came when she was able to string the play together in the final third.
Corbin AlbertHer ability to cover more ground than Horan helped her link the lines. She wasn’t flashy, but she did the simple things well – took good care of the ball and made easy passes. With her build, she definitely fits the mold of a proper box-to-box midfielder.
I didn’t see enough Rose Label She was in her usual attacking position, darting through the midfield, with a few nice dribbles and one-on-ones but little direct threat to the final ball or goal, and didn’t do much to keep the South Korean defenders off the ball either, although she did have one nice flick past Dan early on.
Player (Club) Caps/Goals (Age)
Five
Corbin Albert (Paris SG, FRA) 11/0 (20)
Four
Lindsey Horan (Lyon, France) 148/35 (30)
Five
Rose Label (Gotham FC) 100/24 (29)
forward
It certainly felt like a loss after such an explosive performance from Colorado’s forward line, who as a whole only managed one shot on goal to start the game. Of course, the substitutes who replaced them had more shots to take.
The only accurate hit from the starting line-up was Crystal DunnDan, who played almost as a true winger on the right wing, was a brilliant presence in spreading the play and was able to drop inside to attack at will. It would have been nice to see more of his link-up with Lavelle.
There’s very little to report on what Alex Morgan did in the game. It was a pretty unspectacular performance that didn’t match her skill set. In the first half, as South Korea pushed forward, the U.S. needed to break through quickly and attack in transition. But without much speed, she showed very little in the way of quick attacks. She ended up leaving after an hour, but perhaps the national team legend is still bothered by her injury.
Fellow San Diego club member Jaidyn Shaw of Morgan also struggled with imperfect positioning on the left side of the front three. Often the team’s most imposing attacking player, it was as if the teenager’s magic dust had run out. All we got on a quiet night was one thumping shot wide.
Player (Club) Caps/Goals (Age)
6
Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC) 147/25 (31)
3
Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave) 224/123 (34)
Four
Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave) 14/7 (19)
Replacement
Well, if you need more evidence Sophia Smith She was supposed to be in the starting lineup for the U.S. in Paris, and tonight it was. Fresh off an assist on Saturday, the forward was on the field just five minutes when she blitzed the goalkeeper and tucked the ball into the net from an incredibly tight angle (2-0). She immediately began breaking off the line and penetrating into the spaces the U.S. hadn’t found in the first half.
Smith’s stunning goal was scored by fellow substitute, Colorado native Mallory SwansonThe Chicago Red Stars player effortlessly backheels the ball into Smith’s path as if nothing had happened. Speed of thought and execution. Instant impact and combination play from both players.
Trinity Rodman She was similarly powerful, driving the ball forward and passing to Swanson for Smith’s goal and then assisting the U.S. third on a corner-kick routine. Again, it was a combination of determination and technique that made her performance so much better than the starters.
Despite sudden flashes of brilliance from Swanson, Smith and Rodman after the 60th minute, the debut Lily Johannes Still, they managed to find a way to grab attention.
The teenager already seems so versatile, it’s hard to believe her age. Intuitive and never flustered, Johannes made some perfect long passes, stepped up to the tackle and showed the presence you need in a midfielder looking for space at the back line. Korea Republic just couldn’t cope with her. She scored the goal well and celebrated the victory in an unforgettable way (3-0). It was a joyous moment that won’t soon be forgotten.
Player (Club) Caps/Goals (Age)
7
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) 47/19 (23)
6
Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) 37/7 (22)
6
Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) 92/35 (26)
Five
Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns) 16/1 (25)
7
Lily Johannes (Ajax, NED) 1/1 (16)
Five
Emily Fox (Arsenal, England) 49/1 (25)
- trivia: He had previously switched to playing as an outside back. Crystal Dunn This was her first start as a forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team since July 30, 2017.
- Pay attention to: Tonight’s goal was scored at 16 years and 358 days old. Lily Johannes She is the third-youngest goal scorer in the history of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Kristin Lilly and Tiffany Roberts.
- nextThe United States will play its first Olympic send-off match against Mexico on July 13 in New Jersey.
June 4, St. Paul, Minnesota
united states of america 3 South Korea 0. Goals: Dunn 13, Smith 67, Johannes 82.
united states of america — Murphy, Kruger (Fox, 72), Sonnett, Staab, Nyswonger (Rodman, 62), Horan (Coffey, 72), Lovell (Swanson, 62), Albert (Johannes, 72), Dunn, Morgan (Smith, 62), Shaw.
South Korea — Kim Jung-mi, Lee Eun-young, Kim Hae-ri, Lee Yeon-ju (Go Yeon-ah, 78), Kang Cha-rim (Lee So-hee, 91), Ji So-yoon, Jung Eun-ah (Cho So-hyun, 46), Choi Yu-ri (Won Joo-eun, 90+1), Casey Fair (Moon Mira, 66), Lee Geum-min (Jung Ga-ram, 78).
yellow card: none. Red Card: none.
Judgment: Astrid Azucena Gramajo (GUA). AR: Iris Vail Sales (GUA), Shelley Sokop (GUA). Fourth Judgement: Alyssa Nichols (USA).
at.: 19,169.
statistics:
America/Korea
shot: 14/7
Shot on target: 5/3
keep: 3/2
Corner kick: 6/4
foul: 8/11
Offside: 4/4
Possession: 68%/32%
