The US Women’s National Soccer Team won 3-0 over New Zealand in their opening match of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The victory marked a historic moment for American women, as they became the first team to ever win three consecutive Women’s World Cups.
The women’s us soccer team beat New Zealand in a thrilling 3-2 match.
9:25 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:25 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
SAITAMA, Japan (Jiji Press) – The United States women’s soccer team claimed that the first game was insufficient.
It was one thing to lose a single match, even the Olympic tournament’s first game. The absence of vitality. The lack of direction. They could never embrace the team’s championship mindset, which had been baked into their very being through years of victories and hard work.
Carli Lloyd, a seasoned forward, remarked, “It’s a switch that should never be turned off.” Kelley O’Hara, a teammate, had reduced the answer to a single word.
“We have to come out the next game and be extremely ruthless,” she urged her players privately before of Saturday’s encounter against New Zealand.
The Americans’ ruthless performance in a 6-1 hammering was the polar antithesis of their dismal performance in a shutout defeat to Sweden just three nights before.
The United States had been controlled from beginning to end. They were the ones delivering the thrashing, applying the pressure, and controlling the game on Saturday.
“Being on our front foot, winning every fight, having a physical presence out there,” midfielder Lindsey Horan said. “After that, everything else is up to you.”
The opportunities and goals, the first of which came in the ninth minute, came in virtually every manner imaginable: a Rose Lavelle curler and a Horan header, a clever Christen Press finish and a clinical Alex Morgan finish.
New Zealand added to its agony and inflated the score by scoring two own goals, although even those were insignificant. When the shots and the pressure eventually ended, the outcome was a pleasant 180-degree turn for the US, and a more accurate picture of what a squad full of World Cup winners and Olympic gold medalists is capable of.
“The mindset is what makes this squad really unique,” Lloyd added. “We may spend hours upon hours doing tactical and technical training, but we won’t win until we have the mindset that has been developed for so long, from the beginning of this squad.
“I’ve competed in eight global championships and won four of them. I can assure you that the mindset has helped us win four games.”
After a listless, lifeless loss to Sweden on Wednesday, that attitude has been questioned in recent days. Many of the players had taken the outcome as a personal affront: a humiliating night that hurt their dignity but not their aspirations, a bad day that could only be erased by a great one.
“You know, we don’t go from being a very good team to not being a good team in a matter of days,” defender Crystal Dunn said.
From the first minute, the Americans were adamant about proving their point. Coach Vlatko Andonovski made five changes to his starting lineup, adding in veterans like Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe, as well as Julie Ertz, and sent his squad out on the search, urging them to never give up.
What was the magnitude of the victory? It might have been a lot worse for New Zealand: in the first half, the US had four goals disallowed due to offside rulings.
When asked whether he wanted to recap the match at his press conference, New Zealand Coach Tom Sermanni deadpanned, “Not really.”
Andonovski, on the other hand, was clearly more delighted, although only little more detailed.
He said, “We got here and performed the job we needed to do tonight.” “We wanted to be aggressive, play with a sense of urgency, and be passionate.
“I was very pleased with the approach. We could tell straight away from the first whistle.”
What’s on the horizon for the United States? On Tuesday, the last game in the group will be played in Kashima versus Australia. Its loss to Sweden might have long-term consequences: Sweden beat Australia on Saturday and can now win the group with a victory or a tie against a wounded New Zealand.
The reward is a higher seed in the knockout phase — the winner of the Sweden-United States-Australia group will play a third-place finisher from another group, while the runner-up will almost certainly face the Netherlands or Brazil — as well as the opportunity to gain some momentum.
Based on Saturday’s performance, the United States has recovered that emotion in spades. Their chances of winning a gold medal had been harmed by their first-round defeat. Those expectations, as well as the team’s confidence, may have returned by Saturday night.
“We needed to come out and demonstrate that we wanted this,” Horan added.
9:21 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:21 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
COMPLETE TIME: After a few minutes, the whistle sounds, and it’s all over: The United States defeated New Zealand by a score of 6 to 1. And believe us when we say it wasn’t even close.
9:20 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:20 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
GOAL! 90′ + 2 GOAL! CJ Bott deflects in a Press shot for an own goal at the back post, making it an even half-dozen.
9:15 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:15 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Alex Morgan at the back post with a striker’s finish put the beautiful bow on this win.
9:14 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:14 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
GOAL AT 88′! Morgan has a 5-1 record.
9:13 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:13 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Christen Press’s finish is all about her: a trap with her left leg, a fast change of her weight as the ball lands exactly at her feet and the defenders separate, and a slick finish with the opposite foot.
That’s some serious talent there – deadening a driving cross exactly where you want it is more difficult than it seems — and a fantastic finish.
The United States has a 4-1 advantage, and the game is almost over.
Catarina Macario replaces Horan, while Casey Krueger replaces Crystal Dunn, who had a much better night than she did against Sweden.
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9:07 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:07 a.m., July 24, 2023 ET
GOAL IN THE 80th MINUTE! Thanks to Press, the United States now has four!
The New York Times’ James Hill is to thank for this image.
9:06 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:06 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
New Zealand’s goal was well-deserved, but it was a bit of a disaster for the US defense.
Abby Dahlkemper attempted to clear the ball but instead sent it straight into the air. It was a New Zealand player who took it, and Dahlkmeper compounded her error by tripping and falling, leaving her alone against Naeher.
The scrambling defense bought some time, but the ball finally made its way to Betsy Bassett, who tucked it home. New Zealand will take it, even if it isn’t one for the highlight reels.
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9:01 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:01 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Former USWNT player Julie Foudy, one of tonight’s commentators, believes the defeat to Sweden was a “gift for the US,” adding, “I always think those punches, as much as they hurt, are essential.”
9:01 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
9:01 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
74′ Morgan arrives a few minutes after the other subs, and Lloyd has already left.
8:58 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:58 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
GOAL IN 72′! New Zealand receives one in return.
8:56 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:56 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
67′ Two subs for the US: Sam Mewis, who was left out of the starting lineup today, replaces Rose Lavelle, who scored the game’s first goal and then ran her skinny little legs off the rest of the night.
At the same moment, Christen Press replaces Rapinoe, who had taken her customary position tonight. Alex Morgan hasn’t been seen, but that might be because no one has the courage to inform Carli Lloyd she’s coming out.
8:50 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:50 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
61′ The United States has been playing with a sense of intensity, but it must sustain it. It may be beneficial to get some new legs. On the sidelines, athletes like Sam Mewis and Christen Press are warming up.
8:49 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:49 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
63′ GOAL ON YOUR OWN! The United States is up 3-0!
The New York Times’ James Hill is to thank for this image.
8:41 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:41 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
52′ Dangerous sign: Julie Ertz collides with a defender at the top of the area, falls to the ground, and then cautiously rises. Ertz has been out for many months due to a knee injury and is making her first start for the United States since April. But the discomfort seems to have been just temporary; she’s up and about.
8:41 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:41 a.m., July 24, 2023 ET
Kelley O’Hara said before the game that the squad must be “extremely vicious.” Tonight’s guys are certainly bringing that sort of vigor.
8:37 a.m., July 24, 2023 ET
8:37 a.m., July 24, 2023 ET
By the way, no changes for the US at halftime as the teams swap ends. But it was a big half for the assistant referee who covered the opposite side of the field; her colleague inflated her numbers significantly in the opening 45 minutes.
Credit… The New York Times/Alexandra Garcia
8:36 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:36 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
46′ In Saitama, everything are getting back on track. The United States has yet to be called for offside, so there’s that.
8:35 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:35 a.m., July 24, 2023 ET
The implications of the United States’ defeat to Sweden were more than just a question of shattered pride: the group winner has a considerably easier start in the medal round.
In the quarterfinals, the winner of Group G, which includes both teams, will face the third-place finisher. That seems to be Sweden, which has won both of its games thus far, including a 4-2 triumph against Australia earlier tonight.
The victor of Group F, which at the moment seems to be the Netherlands, who lost to the United States in the 2019 World Cup final, will face the second-place team in Group G, which the United States wants to occupy.
That’s a significant difference. The Dutch, who scored ten goals in their first game, are now causing Brazil problems in Rifu tonight:
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8:34 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:34 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Jill Biden, wearing a mask, is one of the few onlookers in the stands.
8:31 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:31 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Julie Ertz joins Lindsey Horan in celebrating her goal (wearing No. 8). Credit… The New York Times’ James Hill
How do you know this isn’t the same United States squad that was flat and shoved about on Wednesday? They splattered paint all over New Zealand and didn’t stop.
Lindsey Horan said Friday that attitude will be crucial in turning around their Olympic campaign. If you don’t follow the US team often, the concept may be difficult to grasp, but it manifests itself as pressure on New Zealand when it has the ball, aggressive and probing assaults when the US has it, and a hint of the squad’s usual swagger, which was conspicuously absent in the team’s first game.
In a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Horan said, “It was spoken about a lot and it needed to be mentioned: the mindset.” “It seemed like something was missing, and we couldn’t put our finger on it, but that’s never the case with the US women’s national team. Anyone who has ever been a part of this squad understands what I’m talking about. The mentality is always there, no matter the tactics, no matter the technical execution.”
It wasn’t the case against Sweden: the US was bulldozed, and even when it realized what was going on, it couldn’t stop it. That was uncommon — very rare — and it was the first thing the players and Coach Vlatko Andonovski agreed needed to alter.
That hasn’t happened tonight: the US has taken the game by the throat, pushed New Zealand to the ground, and kept it there. It will have a familiar feel to it. To both teams, most likely.
Horan remarked of her team’s losing its energy, “That was a good little reminder versus Sweden.” “I say lovely, but it was a disaster. Now it’s up to us to go out and demonstrate who we really are.”
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8:22 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:22 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Ertz receives a deep corner at the back post and throws a header back into the melee in front of Leat, where Horan nods it home.
It’s 2-0.
After four (!!!) disallowed American goals in the first half, everyone is on board this time, and it matters. Horan, who has been far better than she was against Sweden, and the United States, who have controlled play and looked like their old, swaggering selves, have earned this.
Even the offside calls, to be honest, indicate a level of aggressiveness that will be welcomed.
After a few minutes of injury time, the halftime whistle sounds, and we take a break. Andonovski will be pleased with his findings.
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8:15 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:15 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
GOAL IN 45 MINUTES! And — prepare yourselves — this is a big one!
Credit… The New York Times/Alexandra Garcia
8:11 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:11 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
I’m joking. The assistant referee has seemed to be accurate on every judgment, and the Olympics have video aid, so any errors would have been corrected.
8:08 a.m., July 24, 2023 ET
8:08 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
38′ The United States has gone many minutes without a goal being disallowed. The assistant referee is in for a tough stretch, but she’s handling it well.
The New York Times’ James Hill is to thank for this image.
8:06 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:06 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
34′ Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Horan is sent in at the back post by a switch-field cross, and her first-time header goes right into the goal. However, the assistant referee on the near side, who might be New Zealand’s M.V.P. tonight, calls her off as well.
8:02 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:02 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
31′ This is becoming crazy now. Rapinoe’s cutback is coolly completed, and you think. They finally got the time perfect.
However, the flag is raised, and a United States goal is erased for the third time in just 20 minutes.
8:01 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8:01 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
After almost half an hour, this game had the feel of a match between the United States and Sweden: One side is consistently on the offensive, while the other is withering under the strain. The United States, which was in the latter position on Wednesday, is firmly in the former position today.
For the United States, another corner (really two) has been added. Rapinoe slams both of them into the area. New Zealand’s nervous clearances soon escalated into greater pressure. The United States is turning the ball around and coming back.
That was a big problem the other night: even when the Americans had the ball, they couldn’t hold it long enough to build up their counterattack formation. Players were caught off guard by easy turnovers, and cover wasn’t available when it was needed.
“There were times throughout the game when the squad didn’t look like the team I’d known for years, even before I was coaching,” Andonovski said. “I believe we can all agree on that.”
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7:59 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:59 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Goal in the 28th minute?! No, once again. Dunn receives a lead ball from the left corner and crosses for Heath to score at the back post. Dunn, on the other hand, was a step ahead this time. For the second time, a United States goal isn’t really a goal.
7:50 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:50 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
17′ The first American blunder: a lack of marking leaves Hannah Wilkinson alone in the area to gather a driving cross. Her stinging header, though, misses Naeher by a long shot. She’s not pleased: it was a decent opportunity, and New Zealand’s chances tonight may be few and far between.
7:47 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:47 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Goal in the 15th minute? Nope. Lloyd lofts a beautiful ball over Leat with a flip after Sonnett delivers it over the top for her. However, she was offside on the run, and the flag was raised right away. There is no aim.
7:45 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:45 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
14′ Saitama is chilly tonight, with a little wind. That’s excellent news for a US squad that has been performing like a Formula One engine in the first half of the season.
7:43 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:43 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
12′ Carli Lloyd drops the ball while retreating to recover it, and she takes out the legs of Ria Percival, who had raced past to grab the free ball. Lloyd gestures her apologies, but let’s be honest: she isn’t.
7:42 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:42 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
For the United States, Rose Lavelle scored the game’s opening goal. Credit… The New York Times’ James Hill
Tobin Heath controlled, turned, and led a sprinting Rose Lavelle precisely into the New Zealand box as the United States took the lead.
Lavelle takes the ball in stride and lofts a right-footed shot past Anna Leat, the 20-year-old goalkeeper who had come out only to find herself in the middle of nowhere.
The United States is off to a great start. Let’s see whether they go for the throat with this early on.
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7:39 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:39 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
GOAL IN THE 9TH MINUTE! The United States is in the lead!
The New York Times’ James Hill is to thank for this image.
7:39 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:39 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
8′ More pressure: This time, it’s Lloyd who holds the ball up for Rapinoe, who dribbles a few times before launching a 25-yard slam. Her shot is on line but misses its mark, sailing a few feet past the crossbar.
7:37 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:37 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Lloyd slides all the way to the sideline to retain the ball in bounds, and 6′ Lavelle comes in strong on a tackle. If you’re the US and Andonovski, the most good thing thus far is the energy level.
7:37 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:37 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
4′ Rapinoe is now forcing her way into the corner. She sends in a dreadful cross, but that only adds to the pressure on that side.
7:37 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:37 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
2′ Remember that mindset we spoke about earlier? It’s come back. Horan drives towards the left corner and sends a cross into the net. Carli Lloyd backtracks and scythes down a Kiwi as New Zealand clears out to the right side.
7:31 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:31 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
1′ And now we’re off and running. Have fun with the game. I wish you and your team the best of luck.
7:30 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:30 a.m., July 24, 2023 ET
To face the big American flag on the scoreboard, the whole US team rotates 90 degrees to the right. In a recent game, there was a little of commotion on right-wing social media; none of that today.
7:25 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:25 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Rapinoe, wearing the captain’s armband and a serious look, leads the US out of the tunnel. Tonight, the United States is dressed in blue and red stripes. As a result, the uniforms have been added to the list of modifications after the defeat to Sweden.
The New York Times’ James Hill is to thank for this image.
7:26 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:26 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
New Zealand is dressed entirely in white.
7:25 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
7:25 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
The American players are dressed in dark blue shorts and black stockings, indicating that they will wear their red/blue jerseys tonight. Just in case you want to plan your gameday strategy with your favorite player.
6:57 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
6:57 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Here is New Zealand’s starting lineup. Fans in the United States will recognize some of these names: Riley, Erceg, and Bowen have all played in the N.W.S.L. Riley, Erceg, and Bowen have all played in the N.W.S.L.
6:53 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
6:53 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
If you scroll down, you’ll find some analysis on the U.S.W.N.T. roster, but the headline is this: The United States has made five changes, with Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd taking the lead. Sam Mewis is one of the people who will be sitting.
6:45 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
6:45 a.m. ET, July 24, 2023
Saitama Stadium is one of Asia’s biggest soccer stadiums, with twin curving roofs that resemble the world’s most beautiful toolbox. On a good day, it accommodates approximately 64,000 people, many of whom are fans of the local side, Urawa Red Diamonds, which was built for the 2002 World Cup.
It will accommodate exactly zero paying spectators tonight, as will virtually all of the other venues in the Games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did womens soccer beat New Zealand?
Yes, the womens soccer team beat New Zealand.
Who scored goals USA vs New Zealand?
The USA scored two goals, while New Zealand scored one.
How can I watch USA vs New Zealand womens soccer?
You can watch the USA vs New Zealand womens soccer on the following channels:
Related Tags
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