Alex Morgan and Rose Lavelle headlined the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s starting lineup in Tuesday’s friendly against South Korea at Allianz Field. Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson were the super-charged subs off the bench — and that trio combined for a second-half goal.
But with head coach Emma Hayes starting her new era, it was 16-year-old debutant Lily Johannes who sealed the 3-0 win with a goal in the 82nd minute.
A rainbow of colorful ponchos among the announced 19,169 fans on a rainy night rose out of their seats at salute the most unlikely of goal scorers. The midfielder from Virginia and Dutch club Ajax is the third-youngest goalscorer in U.S. history.
The USWNT improved its still-perfect stretch in St. Paul. The Americans are 6-0 at Allianz Field since 2019, including a 23-0 goal differential.
South Korea defender Lee Young-ju, center, and U.S. midfielder Rose Lavelle, right, vie for possession of the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The U.S. easily worked its way through the South Korea defense in the 13th minute. Morgan was allowed to saunter down the middle of the field, and she laid it off to Jenna Nighswonger. Then Crystal Dunn beat everyone to Nighswonger’s cross at the back post for a goal.
Smith doubled the lead in the 68th minute with a tight-angle finish. The set-up came from a long dribble from Trinity Rodman and back heal from Mallory Swanson.
Those three nearly combed for another goal in the 71st minute, but Rodman’s pass was a bit too far in front of Swanson at the goal line.
It will still be tough for Johannsen to make Hayes’ 18-player squad for the Olympics. The U.S. opens the Summer Games with a match against Zambia on July 25 in Nice, France.
Briefly
Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay couldn’t make it to USWNT match at Allianz Field. He is at home on daddy duty with two young children. But his wife Sioned was planning to be at the game in St. Paul. Ramsay talked Tuesday about his connections with Hayes and others from when they overlapped at Chelsea. … Rose Lavelle, 29, made her 100th appearance for the U.S. on Tuesday. … Loons forward Teemu Pukki, who hasn’t scored in MLS play since March 9, logged two goals for Finland in an 4-2 exhibition loss to Portugal in Lisbon on Tuesday. … MNUFC winger Sang Bin Jeong was in attendance to support his fellow South Koreans. Jeong, 22, has yet to receive a senior national team call-up.
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