Yanks Roar: Three USWNT Debuts Devour Ireland 4-0 at DSGP

Commerce City, CO – In front of a spirited standing-room-only crowd at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) that included three debutantes out paced, played and scored Ireland, and went on to win 4-0. 

Following Thursday’s game the group heads to Cincinnati, Ohio for the second of back-to-back matches against Ireland on Sunday, June 29 at TQL Stadium. Then, it’s a meeting with Concacaf rival Canada in the Allstate Continental Clásico Audi Field in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, July 2. 

The starting XI featured five players with seven caps or fewer – Michelle Cooper, Avery Patterson, Claire Hutton, Lilly Reale and Claudia Dickey, in addition to four gold medalists from the 2024 Olympics, captain Naomi Girma, Lavelle, Emily Sonnett and Sam Coffey. 

From the first whistle to the closing three, the senior Lady Yanks had Ireland’s Girls in Green on their back heals, endline-to-endline.

The U.S. dominated in every documented aspect of the match with:

Shots: 26 / 2 

Shots on Goal: 8 / 0 

Saves: 0 / 4 

Corner Kicks: 7 / 0 

And the outcome impressed the soon to host a NWSL franchise team audience. Within a span of approximately 49 minutes of dominate play, Team USA relentlessly penetrated the 18 yard box and finished with four handsome goals.

U.S. – Avery Patterson (assisted by Rose Lavelle) 18th minute 

U.S. – Sam Coffey (assisted by Alyssa Thompson) 45+4 minutes 

U.S. – Rose Lavelle (assisted by Ally Sentnor) 53rd minute 

U.S. – Alyssa Thompson (assisted by Lilly Reale) 63rd minute

Patterson converted the first goal of the night off a set piece. Veteran Rose Lavelle, sent a long cross into the box with her right foot. Patterson skied above her defender to head the ball into the back of the net. 

For Lavelle, who earned her 111th career cap, the assist was another defining moment in the 30-year-old’s admirable career. It was her first match since she suffered a severe ankle injury that required surgery some seven months ago.

Then, during first half stoppage time, Sam Coffey received a pass from Alyssa Thompson. Coffey carried the ball forward on the dribble and finished a driving low shot to double the Stars and Stripes lead.

Post-game, America’s head coach Emma Hayes praised Coffey, “I think Sam Coffey is a world-class midfielder. I almost couldn’t believe she wasn’t in the national team, to be honest with you, before I came here.” 

She added, “I think she’s got everything, but she’s improving. Especially the last few months, I feel like she’s gone up another level again. Another great trainer, great learner, great listener, top-class player.”

At the 53rd minute, Lavelle took center stage, again. During another United States assult the ball quickly up the pitch and into the final third. The ball landed at the feet of forward Ally Sentnor. She served a right-footed cross into the box and Lavelle finished with her right foot to score her 25th career goal.

When asked about Lavelle, a contemplative Hayes said, “There is only one Rose Lavelle. There really is, both on and off the field, as a character, as a football player, as a human being.”

“It’s been a tough injury to recover from, but she’s such a professional, also a perfectionist.”

Lavelle is now the 19th player in USWNT history with 25-plus goals and 25-plus assists, and the 25th player in USWNT history with a combined 25 goals and 25 assists. 

In the 63rd minute of match play, it was Alyssa Thompson’s turn to score. For the most of the evening, she was probing, often unimpeded, Ireland’s back line. Her self-confidence was evident as she swatted the ball at the goal several times. 

Finally one came through for the swift 20-year-old striker who plays for the NWSL Angel’s FC side. And her goal was epic. 

While speeding about inside the 18-yard box, Thompson put the ball on her right foot and delivered a beautiful curling shot into the side netting. The result was her second international goal. 

During her meeting with members of the press corps, Thompson stated, “I felt that pressure was coming so I took a touch. I’ve been in that situation a lot of times in this game…I was like ‘I need to score this one.’ So I did my usual move and then hit it to the far side.”

In making the starting XI, Thompson earned her 20 USWNT caps before turning 21 years old. She became the fourth player to do so. Thompson now joins Coloradan, Mallory Swanson, who achieved the accolade in 2017.

Many in attendance may not have been aware that the Thompson sisters, Alyssa and Gielse were on Hayes’ match day 23-player roster. The dynamic-duo have now played in three USWNT matches. Gisele, a defender, came on the pitch at 59th minute for Avery Patterson. 

In winning the game, the USWNT remains undefeated against Ireland, outscoring them, 55-1, in those games. The 16 wins in 16 meetings is the best 100 percent record against any opponent in program history and the current run is the USWNT’s longest winning streak against any UEFA opponent. 

Photo Credit: John Babiak

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