The U.S. women’s national team used an early goal by Ashley Hatch to defeat Australia 3-0 in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday (Friday night U.S. time).
Hatch, in her first career start and third match for the U.S., scored after 24 seconds for the third-fastest goal in program history.
She benefitted by a poorly headed clearance from Jessika Nash. Lynn Williams’ headed pass off the giveaway set up the score.
Rose Lavelle made it 2-0 in the 49th minute as Midge Purce assisted with a cross to the 6-yard box.
Lindsey Horan scored on a penalty kick in the 68th minute for the final margin.
Goalkeeper Casey Murphy was tested in her USWNT debut, making eight saves, including stops on Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord in first-half stoppage time.
A new era is coming for the U.S. with the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand approaching. The roster against Australia has 10 players from the United States’ Olympic roster this year and only six from the team that won the 2019 World Cup.
The average age of the U.S. starting lineup was 26 years old, making it the youngest lineup since April 5, 2018. Also, it was the first time since April 9, 2013, that every starter was under the age of 30.
Carli Lloyd retired last month and standouts Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan did not make the trip.
The U.S. wraps up the 2021 schedule vs. the Aussies in Newcastle, Australia, on Tuesday. This marked the first trip to Australia for the women’s national team since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The teams met for the third time this year. They played twice at the Tokyo Olympics — a 0-0 draw on July 27 in the final match of the group stage and a 4-3 win for the Americans nine days later in the bronze-medal match.
The U.S. leads the series 28-1-4 since the first game in 1987 but it was 2-1-2 in the previous five matches against the Aussies.
–Field Level Media
