A youthful U.S. women's national team ended 2023 on a high, securing a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over China on Tuesday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Though the hosts were dominant, China took the lead in first-half stoppage time off a corner, with the shot eventually finished by Shen Mengyu. Their fortunes changed in the second half, first with Sam Coffey's first international goal in the 62nd minute which, like the China goal, came from a corner.
18-year-old Jaedyn Shaw clinched the win in the 79th minute, scoring her second international goal in her hometown.
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore started a heavily rotated team compared to Saturday's 3-0 win over China, including four players with 20 caps or fewer. The pair of wins this month continues the team's victorious streak following the Women's World Cup, and comes amidst a rebuild ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris next summer.
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It was not a straightforward path to victory, but the USWNT end the year on a high courtesy of goals from Coffey and Shaw. A lot of food for thought after two games that were all about new ideas and fresh faces, and some optimism to close out an otherwise rough 2023.
79' The USWNT earn a freekick after Huo's foul on Albert, and though Nighswonger's ball initially hits China's wall, the ball lands to Shaw and she scores through traffic. The 18-year-old notched her second international goal in her hometown -- she grew up a block and a half away from Toyota Stadium.
70' Kilgore makes two more subs, bringing on Moultrie and Albert, the 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder. Albert was the last uncapped player on the roster, and is now the sixth player to earn her first cap since the World Cup. Coffey and Horan are off in their place.
62' the USWNT find their equalizer in familiar terrain - off a set piece. After a back-and-forth in the box, Coffey scores her first international goal to provide the hosts with a jolt just past the hour mark.
58' Rodman subs in for Lynn Williams. Rodman had a massive performance on Saturday and was a crucial component out wide. She could help the group generate some action on either side of the flank.
Emily Fox's exit from the game is as a concussion protocol. The substitution will not count toward the total substitutions available. It's a curious decision as Fox took contact to the head in the opening minutes of the game, but made her exit after playing a full 45-minute shift.
48' Nighswonger is fouled and earns a free kick. It's an early chance to open the second half but nothing too dangerous for China to handle as the clear the ball.
Purce and Smith are coming into the game for Fox and Hatch. Let's see if the adjustments change up the tempo!
'45+1 CHINA WITH THE OPENING GOAL! It belongs to Shen Mengyu as Wang Siqian redirected the free kick service by Yan Jinjin in front of the goal catching Kingsbury off her line.
45' China is on the ball and wins a free kick after Fox is late on a challenge. Big chance here for the Steel Roses ahead of halftime.
39' The starting XI has had some long stretches in China's half but as halftime approaches, there are less attacking ideas as China continues to clog up the lines. The team is trying to generate wide but nothing particularly dangerous at the moment.
31' USWNT keeping the ball in the attacking half now. Fox also had an open lane worth a look, but Horan is central as a target, and the attempt is out wide of the post.
30' The fullback is featuring in her first start for the national team tonight after earning her first cap on Saturday. She sees an open lane in front of her and puts some power on the shot and forces a save -- and bobble -- by the keeper.
26' Horan goes down in the box after trying to make a read on a ball in. She quickly gets looked at by the trainers and is back on the sideline ready to check back in.
21' USWNT with not a lot of success breaking China's lines. At times facing five defenders in the back. Lindsey Horan gets the ball at her feet and tries to stretch some of the defenders but Coffey is the main outlet and her shot trickles through the line but its an easy collection for the keeper.
16' The squad is opting for some patience as they retain possession of the ball. They generate two interesting sequences in the attacking third. Some good ideas but the execusion is missing a step and a pass.
14' The fullback checks back into the match and is getting touches on the ball. She combines with Shaw as she and Hatch attempt to generate some offense but still no goals in the opening 15 minutes.
10' Emily Fox taking a couple of shots this match. A few minutes earlier she took some contact to the head and now goes down toward the edge of the box. She's getting looked at by the trainers, but her reaction is expressing discomfort and discouragement. Trainers are examining each of her legs.
5' The Steel Roses already with two set pieces. China wins two consecutive corners. The U.S. finally cleared the ball out of the final third but still battling to set the tempo.
The five back has worked for China so far and despite not winning the possession battle they lead in set pieces. They are ahead off a free kick with a finish by Shen Mengyu.
The game will kickoff shortly! Let's have some fun with a little prediction.
The group will want to end the year on a full 90-minute performance. They missed some key opportunities Pick: USWNT 2, China 0.
Take a look at three things the USWNT needs to secure another win against China. Pardeep Cattry broke down three different ways for the U.S. to work on and continue so they can close out the year in strong form.
Here's what she has to say about recent formation changes:
After spending much of the last year and change in a 4-3-3, Kilgore trotted out a 3-4-3 on Saturday. Naomi Girma was in the center of that back three, but next to two new partners -- Emily Fox, playing a more reserved role than she did at the World Cup, and Abby Dahlkemper for her first cap in more than 500 days following her recovery from back surgery. Krueger and Trinity Rodman took over the flanks, while a cast of familiar faces filled in the rest of the lineup.
Time will tell if this is a go-to formation or just one of many the USWNT will consult in the foreseeable future. The 3-4-3 is a lineup that Hayes uses frequently at Chelsea, but the manager is known more for her tactical pragmatism than a preferred formation, so expect Kilgore and Hayes to tinker when the situation calls for it.
The USWNT starting lineup has seven different players from the starting line on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. Aubrey Kingsbury replaces Casey Murphy in goal and will get her second cap in goal. After earning her first cap on Saturday, Jenna Nighswonger gets a start, and Tierna Davidson returns to the pitch after a face injury sustained in October. The two defenders come in place of Casey Krueger and Abby Dahlkemper. Sam Coffey, Ashley Hatch, Jaedyn Shaw and Lynn Williams are in the attack in place of Savannah DeMelo, Rose Lavelle, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith.
China: 12-Xu Huan, 2-Li Mengwen, 8-Yao Wei, 9-Shen Mengyu, 17-Yan Jinjin, 18-Shen Menglu, 19-Zhang Linyan, 23-Tang Jiali, 24-Jin Kun, 25-Wang Siqian, 27-Huo Yuexin
Available Subs: 22-Pan Hongyan, 32-Gao Jingyao, 5-Liu Yanqiu, 7-Wang Yanwen, 11-Wang Shanshan, 20-Wu Rigumula, 26-Li Tingyingge, 28-Wang Aifang
Head coach: Wang Jun
Here's the lineup for tonight's match! Plenty of rotation here from interim head coach Twila Kilgore. Only four players getting second consecutive starts tonight with Horan, Girma, Fox, and Sonnett.
USWNT: 18-Aubrey Kingsbury, 4-Sam Coffey, 6-Lynn Williams, 7-Ashley Hatch, 10-Lindsey Horan, 12-Tierna Davidson, 13-Jenna Nighswonger, 14-Emily Sonnett, 15-Naomi Girma, 23-Emily Fox, 26-Jaedyn Shaw
Available Subs: 1-Casey Murphy, 2-Abby Dahlkemper, 5-Alana Cook, 8-Trinity Rodman, 9-Midge Purce, 11-Sophia Smith, 16-Rose Lavelle, 17-Alyssa Thompson, 20-Casey Krueger, 22-Savannah DeMelo, 25-Olivia Moultrie, 27-Korbin Albert
Head coach: Twila Kilgore
Kilgore on Moultrie's first USWNT cap: "Olivia I thought was great between the lines. Her and Lindsey actually had some interchange a little bit. So, she also played the sixth just by the nature of them, playing with each other and moving off from each other. I thought she did a really good job defensively as well. Pressing, and picking, and choosing the right times to step out of our shape and get pressure on the ball, and that's really, really, important at this level to be able to do both sides.
Olivia Moultrie: Kilgore and Hayes have brought in multiple uncapped players and Moultrie was one of two players to receive her first senior national team minutes on Monday alongside Jenna Nighshwonger. She's the fourth player to make a first debut under interim coach Kilgore. The 18-year-old midfielder subbed in for Rose Lavelle on Saturday and could get more minutes as she had successful interchanges through different stretches of play.
Midge Purce: The 2023 NWSL Championship final MVP is already closing out the year on a high note. She's worked her way back to form through lingering injuries and made an impact in her 15-minute shift on Monday. Though called in as a forward, Purce flexed her versatility as a fullback, crucial in facilitating a third goal for the team.
The United States women's national team will say farewell to 2023 as they face China in their final match of the year. The Stars and Stripes are coming off a 3-0 win against the Steel Roses on Saturday. The victory is the fourth win for interim head coach Twila Kilgore, and the first of the Emma Hayes era, as the team looks to close out the year unbeaten since September.
Here's how you can watch the big game tonight!
Hello and welcome to our live blog of USWNT vs. China! I'm Sandra Herrera and I'll be with you providing analysis and highlights of tonight's match. Pardeep Cattry will join us later with even more updates so stay tuned!
