USWNT Runs Past Russia in Texas Heat

Crystal Dunn scored twice and Rose Lavelle got her first National Team goal as the USWNT beat Russia 5-1 on Sunday.

For the second straight match, the USWNT took it to Russia early and often, this time to the tune of a 5-1 win. Unlike Thursday’s evening kickoff, this one was right under the Texas sun and the Russian players were clearly affected and looked fatigued.

A head scratching move from Jill Ellis was to keep her starting lineup almost identical to the previous game. The only change was in goal, Ashlyn Harris came in for Alyssa Naeher. Eventually Jane Campbell would come in for her first cap as well.

But the choice to keep all 10 field players the same was a strange one. The USWNT doesn’t have any competitive matches for a while. The time to get new players who can make an impact in the next World Cup is now. Instead several players brought into camp leave with the time in practice, but no game action to show for it.

The same players on the field meant the same result for the USWNT. The midfield dominated possession and gave plenty of chances to the forwards. After a Carli Lloyd penalty kick opened the scoring, Rose Lavelle got her first career goal with the national team.

Dunn picked up where she left off from the last game and got another goal. After a penalty kick for Russia they seemed to have momentum going into halftime. Any hope of that was erased with an unfortunate own goal.

The only goal from the second half again came from Dunn, who got her fourth goal in two games against Russia during this series.

After that the Russians looked exhausted in the Texas heat, and the US seemed satisfied taking their feet off the gas with a four goal lead.

There are positives to takeaway from these two matches. Getting nine goals in two games is always something to smile about. Jill Ellis also seems to have dropped the 3-back experiment for now.

The lack of variety on the field is still a concern. There were plenty of chances to get different faces on the pitch with the game well in hand. Most notably, Kealia Ohai should have gotten some minutes in front of a Houston crowd that she plays in front of every week for the Dash.

Next: Marta Signs with Orlando Pride

The USWNT will head to Scandinavia for their next set of friendlies. They will face off against Sweden and Norway in June.