Rose Lavelle and Catarina Macario each scored a pair of first-half goals, and the United States women’s national team beat Uzbekistan 9-0 on Tuesday to extend its unbeaten streak on American soil to 67 games.
Trinity Rodman, who came in as a second-half substitute, scored her first international goal for the United States. The 2021 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year is the daughter of former NBA player Dennis Rodman.
Mallory Pugh, Midge Purce and Ashley Sanchez also scored for the United States, which opened the game with its youngest starting lineup — averaging 24.98 years — since 2007.
The U.S. team also defeated Uzbekistan 9-1 in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday in the first game of the two-game series. Sophia Smith had a hat trick in that victory.
The Americans have just one more international window, in June, to prepare for CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in July.
“I think we’re going to face teams that sit in a low block in qualifiers, so I do think this is a good test for that,” Lavelle said.
An own goal just 25 seconds into the game gave the United States the early lead at Subaru Park, home of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.
Macario, who plays professionally for Lyon, scored in the 12th minute and in first-half stoppage time. Lavelle’s goals came in the 25th and 27th minutes.
Pugh scored in the 14th for her fifth international goal, helping the U.S. to a 6-0 lead at the break.
Rodman’s goal in the 71st came in her third appearance for the United States. Just 19, Rodman plays professionally for the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Puce and Sanchez added late goals.
“I think the more time we get, the more fun it’s going to be and the more we’re going to be able to connect,” Lavelle said. “I think there’s so many different people that we can go to, to step up in a big moment.”
Aubrey Kingsbury made her debut for the national team in goal. At 30, she’s the oldest player in team history to earn her first cap.
Naomi Girma, the No. 1 pick in…
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