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USWNT closes preparation for Olympics with double win over South Korea

The game against Korea Republic was a chance for Emma Hayes to have her first contact with the players and test them for the final squad

By Izabelle Franca

South Korea v United States
South Korea v United States / Adam Bettcher/GettyImages
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The rain and soggy pitch didn't stop the United States Women's National Team from claiming another victory over Korea Republic, this time 3-0, confirming their hegemony against the South Koreans, who have 13 wins and 4 draws in 17 games, to the delight of almost 20,000 fans at Allianz Field.

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The venue continues to be historic for the USWNT, increasing their unbeaten run when playing in Minnesota to 14 wins, 3 draws and no defeats. It seems that fate has chosen to recognize the state in the USWNT's 400th home win. Good numbers, and helped by the overhaul of the women's team, orchestrated by Emma Hayes, who took the opportunity to rotate the squad, making nine changes from the starting line-up in Denver, with only Jenna Nighswonger and Lindsey Horan repeating their positions. This was to be expected, as it was the coach's last chance to test the remaining players before her final roster for the Paris Olympics.

The victory was adorned by individual performances from one starter and two players from the bench. Dunn, who had gone 75 games without scoring for the USWNT (the second longest streak in history), broke the drought in the 13th minute. The No. 19 played as a winger, and had total freedom to advance down the right flank, watching the build-up play on the other side of the field, broke into the box and just slotted home a cross from the edge of the box. Another highlight was the debut of young Lily Yohannes, who at 16 years and 358 days became the eighth youngest player to wear the USWNT jersey.

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Yohannes, the youngest player to take the field for the team since 2001, represents the promise of a future for the US national team and was responsible for the third and final goal against the South Koreans. Star of the young Ajax midfielder and also of Hayes' perception, who is only in her second week on the job. Even with so little time, the Englishwoman and her coaching staff will have to choose the 18 names to represent the USWNT in Paris.

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