USA 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland | 2023 - Senior Women's Friendlies | 999948624

Senior Women's Friendlies | CITYPARK, St Louis, Missouri

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

USA 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland

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REPORT | USA 1-0 WNT

Ireland WNT produced a laudable performance in a narrow 1-0 loss to World Champions USA in St. Louis as they ended an International Friendly double header with plenty of positives.

12th Apr 2023

Alana Cook's cross from deep evaded goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan to fly into the back of the net just before half-time. It was a cruel goal to concede, especially since Brosnan was superb throughout.

Similar to their performance in Austin, Texas, Ireland frustrated the World No 1 and limited them to few real goalscoring opportunitiies, while also putting them under pressure themselves.

The work of Kyra Carusa up front allowed Ireland to stretch the pitch and push their hosts back, while Katie McCabe and Heather Payne zipped up and down either flank.

There was a scare early on when St. Louis native Becky Sauerbrunn forced Brosnan into a smart save and Sophia Smith fired over but Ireland were not over-run in this game. In fact, they linked play well, broke up counter attacks and proved that they can be a threat too.

The purpose of this game was for Ireland to test themselves under pressure and that is exactly what they experienced here. It is all part of their preparation for FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 but there is still work to do.

Manager Vera Pauw can be pleased by what she saw with Sky Player of the Match Lucy Quinn and Marissa Sheva providing energy in attacking areas, while the midfield and defence were solid when they needed to be.

USA: Casey Murphy; Sofia Huerta, Alana Cook, Ashley Sanchez, Kelley O’Hara (Casey Krueger 46), Becky Sauerbrunn (Tierna Davidson 29), Lindsey Horan (Kristie Mewis), Andi Sullivan (Julie Ertz 46), Sophia Smith (Trinity Rodman 46), Alyssa Thompson, Alex Morgan (Ashley Hatch 46).

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Heather Payne (Tara O’Hanlon 84), Louise Quinn, Megan Connolly, Diane Caldwell (Hayley Nolan 58), Katie McCabe; Lucy Quinn (Roma McLaughlin 69), Ruesha Littlejohn (Ciara Grant 58), Denise O’Sullivan; Marissa Sheva (Áine O’Gorman 69); Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 82).

Referee: Crystal Sobers (Trinidad & Tobago).

Preview | USA v WNT

The second meeting between the Ireland Women’s National Team and the United States within three days takes place on Tuesday, April 11 in St. Louis, Missouri.

10th Apr 2023

This double header is all part of Ireland's preparation for FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and Vera Pauw's squad are ready to take on the World No 1 again.

Match Details
International Friendly
USA v Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, April 11
KO 00:30 (Irish Time) / 18:30 (CT), 19:30 (ET)
CITYPARK, St Louis, Missouri
LIVE on RTÉ2

Match Officials
Referee: Crystal Sobers (Trinidad & Tobago)
Assistant Referee: Jassett Kerr-Wilson (Jamacia)
Assistant Referee: Princess Brown (Jamaica)
Fourth Official: Laura Rodriguez (USA)

Team News
All players are available for selection.

Manager Quotes – Vera Pauw
"We are looking forward to this second game against USA as there were a lot of positives for us to take out of the first game in Austin.

"We will make some changes with both Aoife Mannion and Sinead Farrelly not starting this game due to injury prevention as we need to protect them because of their limited game-time at club level.

"This game is another opportunity for us to test ourselves under the pressure of playing against a quality team. It is a challenge that we will embrace as it will help our preparation for the World Cup."

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)