Kyra Carusa eyes up improved Ireland performance against world's best: ‘I've only seen this team and these players rise to the challenge’

Christine Allen reports from the Aviva Stadium

Ireland’s girls in green looked visibly drained as they were directed by FAI media personnel into the post match mixed zone in the bowels of the Aviva Stadium, having emptied the tank in what was a gutsy performance against England's Rolls Royces.

One such soldier was San Diego native Kyra Carusa, who, having started with Vera Pauw’s squad in February 2020 following her receipt of Irish citizenship, helped to propel the girls in green into their first World Cup tournament in 2023 and finished the year as their joint top scorer in the Nations League alongside Katie McCabe on five goals. 

As the 28-year-old reflected on Ireland's approach and execution against both the second and third worlds best in the recent EURO 2025 qualifiers, her passion for the badge was evident. She was taking the positives from her team’s improved performance and their improvement from Friday’s 1-0 loss in France and the 2-0 defeat to England. 

“I look at this game compared with our game against France and the moments that were created and the ability that we have are just monumentally different in so many different ways,” said Carusa. 

“I mean first half possession starting the way we did, putting them on the back foot, being very bright, getting set pieces. That is so part of our DNA and part of our game. (We are) continuing to lean into that.” 

Much like Katie McCabe with Arsenal, the Stanford University graduate is a born winner, beginning her professional career with Le Havre in France before recording a successful spell in Denmark with HB Koge. She won back-to-back titles with the club and played in the Champions League, scoring 30 goals in 57 appearances.

In 2023, she lifted the National Women’s Soccer League in her first season with Casey Stoney's side, following an impressive World Cup display for the girls in green. It’s clear from listening to Carusa speak post-match that she is a glass half full sort of person, the optics of her optimism understandable given how well Ireland rallied the troops in the second half.

A formidable finisher, Carusa is best placed to analyse Ireland's counter and spoke openly about her frustration up top in the final third, along with the challenge of staying alert while the opposition dominates possession.

Working hard

“You are working hard off the ball, you are working hard on the ball. Like in the France game, if you are starved of the ball for a while suddenly when you have it you are like 'what is this'! It is a graft every game. I know that, we all know that.

"It is that ability to go in on the keeper that one time, and she doesn't give it up but maybe that third, fourth or fifth time and maybe she does and being able to continue to make it there each time.

“I already think from that game (against France) to this game, there was a dominance off the ball that we could really implement on the game especially in that second half. That created so much more, our set pieces were much more dangerous, we had opportunities in front of the box, putting the keeper under pressure, and making them kick it away.”

On Eileen Gleeson’s tactical tweaks along with the quality of preparation, Carusa opined.

“I think that it has been very impressive with the information we've been given and being able to retain and turning those moments where we know where to be…Seriously from the last few days into this game, I feel that we've learnt plenty implementing different tactics.”

Denise O’Sullivan: ‘We had a go at them but being without the ball for 90 minutes is mentally tiring’ https://t.co/4Mv4r4ACaTpic.twitter.com/L3VMOB2Egw

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 10, 2024

As the questions from the reporters began to wind down, the thrum of the mixed zone sizzling to a low murmur, extratime.com asked the affable striker for her take on the qualities that returning England captain Leah Williamson and FC Barcelona Femení’s Lucy Bronze possess.

“There is a confidence, a presence right off the bat,” said the 28-year-old. “I remember playing against Leah in the Champions League, and she is still the same player - calm and cool on the ball. Lovely long swish of a ball. 

“That being said though a player is not going out to have a perfect game and there are moments of each of the back lines game where we were like let's put them in these situations, let's put them under pressure in these ways. You have to respect it too… They are a class team. They are European Champions.”

A 20 minute spell in the second half was a real baptism by fire for the Lionesses, whose ears will still surely be ringing as they flew back across the Irish Sea from the 32,742 strong war-cry that rang out as Katie McCabe and Leanne Kiernan bounded their respective channels, the women in white scrambling in their own six yard box.

On recalling that spell, there is a ghost of a smile on Carusa’s lips. “Gosh, Leanne was impressive with the kind of energy she brought onto the field as a sub and the rest of our subs too were massive game changers. 

“I have to credit that to our tactical changes coming into that second half and being more on the front foot. Katie is higher up the field, you can get throw-ins more often, you can cause a lot of chaos…when a team feels like we can always have the ball and there is plenty of time and suddenly they don't, it is not something they are comfortable with. No one wants that to happen. You could see how uncomfortable it made them.”

The FAI media officer edging closer to the gathered press, it was clear that our time was limited. Carusa however was in no hurry and you got the sense that the marauding forward could have chatted for another 15 minutes, so engaged was she in the post-match analysis.

The eyes have it

Asked about the psychology behind Ireland’s huddle on the pitch following the Lionesses second goal through Alex Greenwood's penalty, Carusa said: “From a leadership standpoint, it is about locking eyes with everybody and going 'hey, hey we have to look at each other right now because this is what we are in'. Clean slate, move forward. 

“Eye contact and confirm with one another that this is what we are doing, we are doing this together. Also, I think in those moments in those first five minutes after a rattled moment like that you have got to be collective, stay calm, bring it back together and set the pace of the game again from there.”

And with that Carusa locks eyes with each of the members of the media in the huddle for the last time as an arm signalling the interviews cessation cuts through the microphones, staying true to her word on the importance of eye contact.

You get the sense that through her holding gaze she’s willing the public not to give Ireland the last rites in this group of death.

We still believe Kyra.

Eileen Gleeson: ‘There is progression but now we need the result’ - https://t.co/94rjArr8tjhttps://t.co/6neg1zn7DF

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 10, 2024