Barbora Votikova made eight saves for the Czech Republic in a surprising 0-0 tie with the U.S. women’s national team in Carson, Calif., in their opening match of the SheBelieves Cup.
One of Votikova’s best saves was on a blast by Catarina Macario in the 29th minute. In the 66th minute, Rose Lavelle forced a near-post save, and a Kristie Mewis header in the middle of the box was stopped 10 minutes later.
Casey Murphy made one save for the U.S., the top ranked team in the world. The Czech Republic is 24th.
The U.S. has won four of the six SheBelieves Cup championships (2016, ’18, ’20 and ’21). The tournament includes New Zealand and Iceland with the winner determined by total points (three for a win, one for a draw) over three games with the first tiebreaker being overall goal difference, followed by goals scored, then head-to-head results.
Iceland defeated New Zealand 1-0 in the first match in Carson on Thursday.
On Sunday in Carson, the U.S. plays New Zealand followed by the Czech Republic against Iceland.
The U.S. extended its home unbeaten streak to 63 games (56 wins, seven ties). A 0-0 tie with the South Korea in the last home match on Oct. 21 ended a 22-game winning streak on American soil.
With stalwarts such as Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press and Tobin Heath not on the roster for this tourney, coach Vlatko Andonovski is eyeing the next generation of stars as the U.S. prepares for CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in July. The 2023 World Cup will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Forward Trinity Rodman, at age 19 the youngest player on the roster, made her U.S. debut in the 60th minute. She is the daughter of former NBA player Dennis Rodman.
At the other end of the spectrum, Becky Sauerbrunn entered in the 72nd minute to become the 12th player to appear in 200 USWNT matches.
–Field Level Media
