The U.S women's national team extended their win streak to four after another dominating performance against Ireland as the Stars and Stripes defeated the Girls in Green, 4-0, on Sunday in Cincinnati. The Americans showcased their attacking firepower, with goals from Lynn Biyendolo, Emma Sears, Yazmeen Ryan, and Alyssa Thompson.
Head coach Emma Hayes made a clean rotation for her starting lineup and continued giving first caps to players, and defender Izzy Rodriguez and midfielder Sam Meza made their national team debuts. The group opened the goal scoring early with Biyendolo scoring in the 11th minute. Biyendolo was the most capped player on the pitch, sported the captain's armband, and the opening goal was her 25th international goal.
Forward Emma Sears delivered the assist on the opening goal and had a massive impact throughout the remainder of the game. The winger is part of the influx of players part of Hayes' expanded player pool and was constantly getting to the endline and providing crosses into the box and cut-backs in the final third.
In more national team firsts, Rodriguez scored her first USWNT goal on her debut, extending the scoreline before halftime. Forward Yazmeen Ryan was also part of Hayes' initial wave of new players in the mix for 2025. The winger scored her first national team just past the hour mark.
The USWNT have one more game before closing out their summer window. There will be no games for the group till October, following major international tournaments in South America and Europe.
That's a wrap! An opening goal by Lynn Biyendolo and Izzy Rodriguez extends the lead ahead of halftime! Yazmeen Ryan gets a third goal for the USWNT after the hour mark, and Alyssa Thompson caps it off with a fourth goal after subbing late into the match.
66' Yazmeen Ryan has been putting in lots of work in the game, and it finally pays off. Emma Sears runs down a trailing ball and recycles back to Olivia Moultrie. Moultrie cuts back and lays the ball off to Ryan, who makes it count. It's Ryan's first national team goal.
Sam Coffey is coming in for Lynn Biyendolo and gets the captain's arm band, and Ally Sentnor is on for Croix Bethune. Ireland made a trio of changes to start the half, and it's paid off in effort but no goals as of yet.
51' USWNT wins their first corner of the match in the second half. Izzy Rodriguez keeps making a mark, as does debutant Sam Meza in the midfield. Emma Sears keeps getting touches on the endline to make an impact as the squad looks for another goal.
42' Just like that, the USWNT gets another goal! This time, it's Izzy Rodriguez, her first goal on her debut with the national team. Yazmeen Ryan controlled the ball, and a shot by Emma Sears forced a save by Ireland's Brosnan, but there was a rebound, and Rodriguez didn't miss from close distance.
Just approaching 40 minutes in the match and despite the USWNT leading in shots (6) against Ireland (3) they're still looking for a go-ahead goal.
Both teams need a hydration break for now, but before then, it was Lynn Biyendolo with another chance, but is ruled offside.
11' USWNT counterpress wins the ball back, and Emma Sears is sprung the opposite way with plenty of space in front of her. Sears delivered a crisp cross and Lynn Byendolo in unmarked in the box to net her 25th national team goal.
9' Ireland is coming out in a high line again, and it's taking some time for the USWNT to find the breakthrough. The best chance comes from Izzy Rodriguez taking a free kick and generating some chaos in the box.
We're about five minutes away from kickoff, so let's have some fun with a little prediction! A lot will depend on who is available for Ireland after Thursday's tough loss, but the group will be motivated not to concede four goals against the USWNT again. Still, even if it takes an opening 30 minutes, Emma Hayes' squad is going to get the win. Pick: USWNT 3, Ireland 0
Now that the lineup has dropped here's who I'm keeping an eye on!
Emma Sears, USWNT: The Racing Louisville FC forward is in the mix with the national team but has seen more time as an impact player off the bench than starts at this point, but she often makes the most of her time whenever she gets it. Her ability to deliver precise crosses and cut inside for shots adds unpredictability to the attack.
Tara McKeown, USWNT: The Washington Spirit defender has become a staple among USWNT rosters in 2025. Her background as a forward gives her an extra edge in possession, often driving into midfield or picking out dangerous long balls. McKeown's transition to centerback has been fairly seamless, showcasing her intelligence, composure, and ability to read the game.
Head coach Carla Ward and the squad were dealt an injury blow to captain Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell, and have been affected by availability. Here's how they are lining up today.
Ireland starting XI: 1-Courtney Brosnan (C), 2-Jessie Stapleton, 4-Caitlin Hayes, 5-Chloe Mustaki, 7-Tyler Toland, 12-Anna Patten, 14-Marissa Sheva, 18-Kyra Carusa, 19-Abbie Larkin, 20-Saoirse Noonan, 21-Emily Murphy
With UEFA Nations League coming up, the Girls in Green will want to close out with a better showing against the world's top-ranked team. Head coach Carla Ward has more limited options than anticipated heading into the second game against the USWNT. Captain Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell missed out on the match in Denver and have already been ruled out for the sequel in Cincinnati.
It's a final opportunity for players to leave a mark on the coaching staff before a final match on the horizon against Canada. Following the summer trio of matches, there will be no games will the next international window in October. Leaving just 13 months till the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers in the Concacaf W Championship, moving forward, it'll be a narrower pool of players, and ironing out tactics. Look for less-capped players to give it their all in their final matches to make coaching decisions difficult for Hayes in the future.
The USWNT delivered a blowout win against Ireland on Thursday with goals scored by Avery Patterson, Sam Coffey, Alyssa Thompson, and Lavelle. The goals were scored evenly over two halves, and Hayes was complimentary of Patterson's opening goal and efforts, though felt she "didn't get tested enough defensively ... but she's a great learner and a great listener."
The recent win brings the USWNT's all-time record against Ireland to 16 consecutive victories. They've outscored the Girls in Green 55-1 all-time, and the winning streak is their best against any opponent in program history and the longest against any UEFA competition.
Lynn Biyendolo leads the way with the most national team caps, and Sam Meza and Izzy Rodriguez get their first-ever appearance.
USWNT caps number for today's match: Biyendolo (82), Ryan (11), Moultrie (9), Sears (7), McKeown (7), Sams (5), McGlynn (4), Bethune (4), Bugg (2), Meza (1), Rodriguez (1)
As Emma Hayes indicated, a ton of lineup changes for today's match against Ireland. Even more debuts!
USWNT starting XI: 1-Mandy McGlynn, 2-Emily Sams, 3-Jordyn Bugg, 5-Tara McKeown, 6-Lynn Biyendolo (Capt.), 7-Croix Bethune, 10-Sam Meza,11-Izzy Rodriguez, 13-Olivia Moultrie, 19-Emma Sears, 22-Yazmeen Ryan
Available Subs: 4-Naomi Girma, 8-Avery Patterson, 9-Ally Sentnor, 12-Michelle Cooper, 14-Emily Sonnett, 15-Claire Hutton, 16-Rose Lavelle, 17-Sam Coffey, 18-Claudia Dickey, 21-Alyssa Thompson, 23-Lilly Reale, 24-Angelina Anderson
Make sure you're prepared for how to tune in! Those are some seriously lopsided odds!
Welcome to USWNT vs. Ireland
Hello and welcome to our live blog of USWNT vs. Ireland! We will be providing game updates and analysis along the way.
