International Friendly Report: USA 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland

Ireland fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against the United States in the early hours of Wednesday morning as they concluded the latest leg of their pre World Cup preparations.

Courtney Brosnan’s first half blunder, in a largely impressive display from the netminder, handed the US the win after she failed to collect an Alana Cook cross into the box.

But Vera Pauw’s side had their chances late through Lucy Quinn and Kyra Carusa – but it was not to be as they left St Louis in Missouri with plenty of credit in the bank.

Ireland started well and had an early opportunity to take the lead through Lucy Quinn.

Denise O’Sullivan played in Katie McCabe down the left flank, and the Arsenal winger’s cross, but Quinn could not convert.

But during a lively opening to the contest, Becky Sauerbrunn went close for the USA, as her header clipped off the bar.

McCabe then had a shot on goal that Casey Murphy easily saved – but the best chance of the early stages was to come for the hosts.

Debutant Alyssa Thompson wreaked havoc with some good pressing and the ball soon fell to Sophia Smith – but she could only blast her effort over the Ireland goal.

Ireland remained a threat however, and Kyra Carusa went close with a stray leg thrown at a McCabe cross – but Murphy tipped over the bar with ease.

Yet, for all their good play, the Girls in Green were dealt a hammer blow just before the interval when the hosts took the lead.

After O’Sullivan cleared a corner kick, the ball was picked up by Cook who opted to deliver a cross into the penalty area.

But rather than claim the ball, Brosnan could only get a limp hand to it from deep as the World Cup champions took a fortuitous lead.

That goal seemed to have given the US an added impetus heading into the second half, but their threat was limited.

The closest they came to double their lead early on in the second half came just past the hour mark through Thompson – but Brosnan was on hand to mop up the danger easily.

As for Ireland, they too struggled to make any real foray forward in that time as they negated the danger posed to their defensive rear-guard with relative ease.

But as the clock wound down they did create a late flurry of chances. 

Carusa had their best opportunity when she shot wide after latching onto O’Sullivan’s through ball.

Louise Quinn also got her head on a McCabe corner in injury time, but her effort went harmlessly wide as Pauw’s side proved they can compete with the very best, again.

USA: Casey Murphy; Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O'Hara (Ali Krieger 45), Becky Sauerbrunn (Tierna Davidson 29); Lindsey Horan (Samantha Mewis 59), Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan (Julie Ertz 45); Alex Morgan (Ashley Hatch 45), Sophia Smith (Trinity Rodman 45), Alyssa Thompson.

Subs not used: Alyssa Naeher, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Lynn Williams, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Diane Caldwell (Hayley Nolan 58), Megan Connolly, Katie McCabe, Heather Payne, Louise Quinn; Ruesha Littlejohn (Ciara Grant 58), Denise O'Sullivan, Lucy Quinn (Roma McLaughlin 68), Marissa Sheva (Aine O'Gorman 68); Kyra Carusa (Amber Barrett 84).

Subs not used: Grace Moloney, Sophie Whitehouse, Megan Walsh, Tara O'Hanlon, Claire O'Riordan, Harriet Scott, Jessie Stapleton, Jamie Finn, Alannah McEvoy, Abbie Larkin.

Booked: Ruesha Littlejohn (57), Megan Connolly (90+6).

Referee: Crystal Sobers.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Lucy Quinn (Republic of Ireland).