USWNT Lands in Auckland Ahead of World Cup

Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan assist in tough send-off victory over Wales then USWNT land down under.

AUKLAND – The 23-player United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) has arrived in New Zealand, just five days before they open their defense of the 2019 FIFA World Cup championship.

They will tackle 32nd ranked Vietnam on July 21 in Auckland’s multi-purpose, 50,000 seat Eden Park Stadium. The Lady Yanks are favored with win their your team Group E stage that includes Portugal and the Netherlands. The final will be played on August 21, in Sydney, Australia.

Burgundy Wave will on-site throughout the tournament.

Yesterday, the Yanks concluded their mainland-USA preparation for the month-long international affair with a 2-0 victory against a stubborn Wales side. 

It took the U.S. 76 minutes, plus a myriad of substitutes, to break down a compact Welsh team. They scored twice to end their year-to-date ground work on a high note before a sprightly and patriotic audience in San Jose, California.

Smith and fellow Coloradan, Lindsey Horan played the full 94-minutes ahead of their 13-hour flight. Smith assisted in the first goal.

Horan wore the captain’s armband in front of the sell-out crowd of around 18,000. It was the ninth time that the 29-year-old was selected to lead the Stars and Stripes on the pitch. Horan and Alex Morgan will co-captain Team USA during this tournament.

Wales’ defensive unit finally collapsed at the 76th minute of play. Lynn Williams played a perfect through ball for Smith on the left wing. From there, she dribbled straight into the 18-yard box and played a long pass across the penalty area for Trinity Rodman to efficiently finish on one touch. Forward Sophia Smith’s unselfish assist was her fifth career assist, and first of 2023. 

“Wales was organized and disciplined and they defended well and made it really hard for us,” Andonovski said during his post-game interview session.

“But Trinity came in and had a task to fulfill and she was one of the players that went in that tried to raise the pace. And we saw that the tempo changed dramatically, and obviously the second goal, I think that’s a world-class goal.”

Rodman is adamant about winning a spot in the Yank’s starting lineup. She was a halftime substitute. The 21-year-old come out of the dressing room with an intent to prove her worthiness to start during the tournament. The USA stayed aggressive for the balance of the game. 

Rodman scored again in the 87th minute. She got the ball on a cross pass at the top of the 18, nicely set herself up for a shot, then pulled the trigger. Her world-class, curling strike found its way to top right corner on the goal.

After the final whistle, the USA celebrated the moment during which each player on the roster was recognized and the team celebrated with fans.

The amped up team and staff returned to their hotel and then were off to San Francisco International Airport for their departure to Oceania.

Photo Credit: John Babiak.

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