The United States secured a dominant victory over South Korea last Saturday, June 1st, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, with an impressive 4-0 performance in Emma Hayes' debut as the team's coach. Although she used 17 players in the match, some stood out, either throughout the game or after coming on during the match. Check out who managed to shine:
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Mallory Swanson
Swanson showed effective movement throughout the game, registering two shots, scoring two goals, and providing an assist for Tierna Davidson's goal. She performed well in aerial duels, was effective in one-on-one situations, and even contributed defensively with tackles.
Jenna Nighswonger
Nighswonger displayed the energy to push forward on the left side throughout the 90 minutes. She had efficient passing exchanges with Catarina Macario and an impressive accuracy in her crosses. With 91% of passes completed, she also contributed defensively, winning almost every duel and aiding in ball recovery.
Tierna Davidson
Davidson positioned herself well to score two goals with precise headers. During her 61 minutes on the field, she committed only one foul, demonstrating defensive solidity and efficiency in set pieces.
Catarina Macario
Macario played for 61 minutes, returning to more playing time after a serious injury. She actively sought involvement in the game, showing good movement and providing two crucial passes.
Lindsey Horan
Horan had a consistent performance, only missing five passes attempted. She added pace to the game, contributed in tackles and duels, and successfully executed all long balls she attempted.
Rose Lavelle
Coming on for Macario, Lavelle played for 29 minutes and showed good game control. She knew how to find the right teammate, with a 96% passing accuracy, helping create dangerous situations, including assisting Swanson in a good move down the right.
Naomi Girma
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At 23 years old, Girma showed great talent, using the captain's armband and forming a solid center-back partnership with Davidson. She won 99% of her duels and knew the right moment to step up to help build plays, succeeding in long balls and passes.
These players stood out for their contributions both offensively and defensively, showcasing the depth and potential of the USWNT squad under Emma Hayes' leadership. The team aims to maintain this trajectory in the next friendly against South Korea at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday, June 4th.