Smith and Horan Score as USWNT Beat China 3-0

FORT LAUDERDALE – The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) opened up their two-game series against FIFA’s 15th ranked China PR with a well-enough 3-0 victory at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium.

The Stars and Stripes were coming off a 0-0 draw and sluggish 3-0 win against Colombia on October 26 and 29, plus even more criticism that they could play much better; especially after taking a painful exit in the summer’s World Cup Tournament 

As expected by Coloradans, the Lady Yanks were led by locals Sophia Smith and the team’s Captain, Lindsey Horan. The duo, along with their teammates, came out on fire, and had China on its heels soon after the first whistle blew.

Smith scored first with a brilliant sliding toe-poke in the minute of 8th minute of play. The swift striker, who was tasked to play the number nine position, arrived into the 18-yard with a full head of steam. Trinity Rodman, who was in midst of her own gallop on left-side of the box, slipped in a lovely rolling cross pass that found Smith’s tippy toes. One-nil America

The goal was Smith’s 15th international in 37 national team appearances.

From there-on-out, and until the close of the first half, China’s Steel Roses did not bend, and gave the Yanks a difficult time both in penetrating and finishing their 10 shots on goal, many of which came byway of Smith, who led the team’s forward attack.

The frustrated Windsor native said it best during her brief halftime interview, “I just need to finish better.”

The score should have easily been 3-0 USA after both teams strolled off of the pitch and into their respective changing rooms.

Smith did not return to play as interim head coach, Twila Kilgore, tweaked her line up sooner than later. 

It was reported that Kilgore chose the 26-player roster and today’s starting lineup along with incoming head coach Emma Hayes, and her boss, U.S. Sporting Director Matt Crocker.  

Hayes is still on Chelsea’s payroll and will not officially join the USWNT until May.

Kilgore’s adjustments played into the hands of fan-favorite Lindsey Horan. She scored on a lazy throw-in and floating shot-on-goal (or long pass) combination, from what appeared to originate from near-by Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach.  The goal-on-a-bounce was Horan’s 30th.

The surprised-as-us Horan was so delighted with her goal  of the year, she gifted her brilliant boots to delirious fans after the match concluded. 

Rising starlet Trinity Rodman finished the game with pretty goal in the 77th minute of play. Rookie Jaedyn Shaw delivered the assist. Red, white and blue fans cheered, bench-players roared and Rodman danced.

According to U.S. Soccer post-match stat sheet, the Yanks won the possession battle nearly 64 percent of the time, and got off  20 shots, of which, 11 were on goal.

The two sides will return to play in Frisco, Texas this coming Tuesday evening.

The U.S. team will then reunite during the February and March cycles, as it will start to prepare for the first ever Concacaf Gold Cup Tournament in California and Texas,  as well as the Summer Olympics in France.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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