USA 2 - 0 Republic of Ireland | 2023 - Senior Women's Friendlies | 999948623

Senior Women's Friendlies International Friendly | Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas

Saturday, April 8, 2023

USA 2 - 0 Republic of Ireland

Report
Preview
Lineups
Minute by Minute Commentary
Statistics
Gallery

REPORT | USA 2-0 WNT

In front of a sell-out crowd of 20,593 in the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, the Ireland Women's National Team produced a laudable performance in a 2-0 loss to World No 1 United States.

8th Apr 2023

A first-half strike from Emily Fox and a second-half penalty from Lindsay Horan secured the win for the home team, who forced goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan into a few outstanding saves.

This was a game where Ireland showed that how much they have progressed in recent times with this defeat ending a record nine-game unbeaten run and a collective sense of disappointment afterwards as the game could have swung another way.

Certainly if an offside goal - which came from Kyra Carusa attacking a Heather Payne cross - had been given. Or if Alyssa Naeher hadn't swatted away chances from Carusa and Denise O'Sullivan. Maybe the game could have been in Ireland's control.

However, Fox broke the deadlock just before half-time with a long-range strike and the USA shifted up a gear in the second period. It wasn't that they dominated though with O'Sullivan, on her 100th appearance, and debutant Sinead Farrelly standing out in midfield alongside the hard-working Megan Connolly.

Sky Player of the Match Louise Quinn went close with a header late on but Horan had already converted the spot-kick that she earned by then and the home team were on their way to victory.

With the teams set to meet again in St. Louis on Tuesday, Ireland can take a lot of confidence from this performance and the fact that they introduced two new players in Farrelly and Peamount United defender Tara O'Hanlon.

USA: Alyssa Naeher; Emily Fox, Becky Sauerbrunn, Naomi Girma, Crystal Dunn (Emily Sonnett 66); Andi Sullivan (Julie Ertz 66), Rose Lavelle (Ashley Sanchez 80), Linsay Horan; Sophie Smith, Alex Morgan (Ashley Hatch 66), Mallory Swanson (Trinity Rodman 45).

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion (Áine O’Gorman 60), Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell; Heather Payne, Sinead Farrelly (Ruesha Littlejohn 60), Denise O’Sullivan, Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe, Marissa Sheva (Tara O’Hanlon 86), Kyra Carusa.

Referee: Carly Shaw McLaren (Canada).

Preview | USA v WNT

The Ireland Women’s National Team take on the United States on Saturday, April 8 in Austin, Texas as part of their preparations for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

7th Apr 2023

Ireland have played the USA more than any other opponent, with 13 different meetings stretching back to 1999. Now this will be the first of two games in the second international window of the year as they will meet again in St. Louis on Tuesday, April 11.

Match Details
International Friendly
USA v Republic of Ireland
Saturday, April 8
KO 19:30 (Irish Time) / 13:30 (CT), 14:30 (ET)
Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
LIVE on RTÉ2

Match Officials
Referee: Carly Shaw MacLaren (CAN)
Assistant Referee: Melissa Snedden (CAN)
Assistant Referee: Gabrielle Lemieux (CAN)
Fourth Official: Jasmine Peralta (USA)

Team News
All players are available for selection, including the uncapped quartet of Sophie Whitehouse, Tara O’Hanlon, Sinead Farrelly and Alannah McEvoy.

Manager Quotes – Vera Pauw
“We are looking forward to this game against the World No 1 as it presents us with a fantastic opportunity to test ourselves against a quality opponent who will put us under the type of pressure that we will experience at the World Cup.

“We know how good the USA are with so many world class players and an excellent coach, but we will focus on what we can take from these two games – starting on Saturday in Austin. It is a challenge that we are ready to embrace, even if we remain realistic about how difficult it will be.

“These two games are part of our preparations for the World Cup and we will feel that playing against strong opposition will ultimately benefit us as we need to keep improving and be ready for what is to come.”

Notes

Ireland are currently on a record unbeaten run of nine games – recording eight clean sheets in the process
This will be the 14th meeting between United States and Ireland, with the last game taking place on August 4, 2019 in California
Denise O’Sullivan will lead the team out as captain on what will be her 100th senior appearance – bringing her into the Centurion Club alongside Emma Byrne, Áine O’Gorman, Niamh Fahey, Ciara Grant and Louise Quinn
Two players in the Ireland squad made their senior debuts against USA – Ciara Grant on November 28, 2012 in Portland, Oregon and Megan Connolly on January 23, 2016 in San Diego
Four players in the Ireland squad were born in the United States (Courtney Brosnan, Sinead Farrelly, Kyra Carusa, Marissa Sheva), while Sophie Whitehouse has US citizenship
Thirteen players in the Ireland squad attended college in the United States (Courtney Brosnan, Sophie Whitehouse, Diane Caldwell, Hayley Nolan, Megan Connolly, Jamie Finn, Ciara Grant, Lucy Quinn, Roma McLaughlin, Sinead Farrelly, Heather Payne, Kyra Carusa, Marissa Sheva)
Twelve players in the Ireland squad previously played against USA (Harriet Scott, Diane Caldwell, Louise Quinn, Claire O’Riordan, Áine O’Gorman, Ruesha Littlejohn, Katie McCabe, Denise O’Sullivan, Megan Connolly, Ciara Grant, Heather Payne, Amber Barrett)
This is the third of six preparation games for Ireland ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 having already beaten Morocco last November and drew with China PR in February
Midifelder Denise O’Sullivan will wear a rainbow captain’s armband to showcase the team’s support for LGBT awareness

Ireland WNT Squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)
Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Ruesha Littlejohn (Aston Villa), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Roma McLaughlin (Fortuna Hjorring), Sinead Farrelly (NJ/NY Gotham)
Forwards: Heather Payne (Florida State University), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Amber Barrett (Potsdam Turbine), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit), Alannah McEvoy (Shamrock Rovers)