International Report: USA 5 - 0 Republic of Ireland

The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team went down to a 5 – 0 defeat on Saturday to FIFA Women’s World Cup holders the United States when the girls in green travelled to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego to face the World Champions in an international friendly. 

 

FIFA Women’s Player of the year Carli Lloyd bagged a hat trick within 28 minutes. Quick fire hat tricks is something she is known for after scoring three times inside the first 16 minutes of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final last July.

 

It took six minutes for the home team to find the opening goal. United States midfielder Tobin Heath took a quick throw-in to teammate Alex Morgan who was celebrating her 100th cap. Morgan turned the Irish defence and played a low through ball into the six yard box. An unmarked Lloyd came charging in and placed the ball into what seemed an empty net as Irish ‘keeper Emma Byrne who had been covering the front post.

 

Fifteen minutes later, it was Tobin Heath who started the attack for the second goal when her cross to Alex Morgan was headed towards the Irish goal.

 

Byrne, the Irish captain, stopped the initial shot but Lloyd showed tremendous bravery to head home the rebound whilst taken a knock to the head from Ireland defender Louise Quinn in the process.

 



Lloyd bagged her hat trick on the 28th minute as she coolly slotted her shot under an oncoming Byrne when she picked up an under-hit back pass by Diane Caldwell.

 

After getting two assists, US Captain Morgan managed to get herself on the scoresheet on the stroke of half time. A great ball was played from the right side of the box to Lloyd who headed the ball onto the post. It was Morgan who reacted the quickest as she side footed the rebound into the net to give the United States a four nil advantage at half time.

 

Ireland’s manager Sue Ronan made a number of changes at half time. Julie Ann Russell, Fiona O’Sullivan and Jessica Gleeson were all introduced and were quickly joined by Siobhan Killeen, Megan Connolly and Méabh de Búrca.

 



Ireland were much more organised in the second half and called the United States goalkeeper Hope Solo into action a couple of times.

 

Campbell’s long throw caused some trouble for the World Cup star as she palmed the ball over the crossbar which awarded Ireland a corner. Ireland’s 18 year old debutant Megan Connolly provided an excellent delivery from the corner which found the head of Fiona O’Sullivan who tested Solo again.

 

Unfortunately from an Irish perspective, the final goal of the game came from the United States as 17 year-old debutant Mallory Pugh scored from close range. Christen Press played the ball back inside the six yard box for Pugh to charge through a number of Irish defenders to head into the net.

 

Speaking after the match, Ireland manager Sue Ronan said: “Even though we were playing the best team in the world, I was very disappointed at half time with the manner in which we conceded the four goals.

 

"There were some basic defensive errors that you will not get away with at this level and we were punished. Having said that, I was pleased with the response of the team in the second half when we tried to take the game to the Americans.”

 

There has been a lack of football for the Irish squad in recent months due to close seasons and postponements of games in the Continental Tyres Women’s National League due to the recent bad weather.

 

The Republic of Ireland squad last competitive game was against Spain in November. This played a heavy factor in the opening goals they conceded last night.

 

The team have one more game stateside on Monday versus the USA u23 squad behind closed doors before travelling to the Cyprus Cup in March which provides them plenty of preparation ahead of the resumption of the EURO 2017 campaign in April with their double-header away to Montenegro and Spain.

 

Last night was the final game for the United States ahead of kicking off their 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship from February 10th to 21st.

 

 

 

United States: Hope Solo; Ali Krieger, Emily Sonnett (Kelley O’Hara 58), Whitney Engen, Meghan Klingenberg; Samantha Mewis, Lindsey Horan (Jaelene Hinkle 46), Carli Lloyd (Christen Press 46); Crystal Dunn (Heather O’Reilly, 46’), Alex Morgan (c) (Mallory Pugh 58), Tobin Heath (Stephanie McCaffrey 46).

Subs not used: Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher.

 

Republic of Ireland: Emma Byrne (c); Sophie Perry (Julie Ann Russell 46), Megan Campbell, Louise Quinn, Karen Duggan (Meabh De Burca 72), Diane Caldwell (Jessica Gleeson 46), Aine O’Gorman, Ruesha Littlejohn (Megan Connolly 65), Denise O’Sullivan, Stephanie Roche (Fiona O’Sullivan 46), Katie McCabe (Siobhan Killeen 65). 

Subs not used: Ciara Rossiter, Niamh Reid Burke, Clare Shine, Grace Wright, Savannah McCarthy.

 

Match Referee: Karen Abt.

Attendance: 23,309.

Extratime.ie MVP: Carli Lloyd (USA).

 

 

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