US women beat Ireland 4-0 for the second straight match
Lynn Biyendolo, Yazmeen Ryan and Alyssa Thompson also scored for the United States, which beat Ireland by an identical score in Commerce City, Colorado, on Thursday.
The United States went up early when Biyendolo took a cross from Emma Sears and calmly scored her 25th international goal in the 11th minute. Biyendolo was captain for the match.
'I say this all the time, it's such an honor to even play for the national team, be a part of camps. But to be captain, I'm going to remember this day forever,' Biyendolo said.
Left back Rodriguez started in her debut and scored on a rebound goal in the 42nd minute to make it 2-0.
After halftime, Sears kept the ball in play and sent it to Olivia Moultrie, who crossed to Ryan for the goal in the 66th minute. It was Ryan's first international goal.
Thompson came off the bench and scored in her second straight match in the 86th minute.
Rose Lavelle, who is from Cincinnati, was sent in as a substitute in the 87th minute by coach Emma Hayes after the crowd at TQL Stadium started chanting her name. Lavelle scored in Thursday's match, making her first appearance of the year for the national team after having ankle surgery.
'Emma had said she'd put me in for a little cameo at the end, so that was always the plan,' Lavelle said. 'I really appreciated that. I think it's always special coming home.'
In addition to Rodriguez, Seattle Reign midfielder Sam Meza also started in her debut for the team. Hayes made 11 changes to the starting lineup from Thursday's match.
Twenty-four players have made their debut for the national team in 24 games under Hayes, who has been tasked with preparing the team for qualification for the Women's World Cup.
'I think we are still pushing. We want to get a game that we score five goals. But I think that what we want right now is the ability to put anybody into the lineup, and that there's a consistency and the level doesn't drop,' Biyendolo said.
The United States was without many of its Europe-based players, including Lindsay Heaps and Crystal Dunn, who Hayes was resting following the European season.
Ireland was also missing a few stars, including Katie McCabe, who was given time off after the season with Arsenal, and Denise O'Sullivan, who plays for the North Carolina Courage and is injured.
'I feel like everybody is not just trusting the process, but carrying out all the things we ask them to do,' Hayes said. 'Everybody's showed themselves so, so well.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
PSG, Tottenham Receive Good News on Everton Target as Atletico Madrid Offer Rejected
With just days remaining in the summer transfer window, PSG face questions about whether they will make one or two moves before it closes. One area the Parisians could strengthen is the depth of their attack. Fichajes recently reported that Takefusa Kubo is on PSG's radar, though any deal would likely hinge on Kang-in Lee's potential departure amid ongoing transfer rumors. Last season, Kubo scored eight goals and added six assists, establishing himself as one of La Liga's most productive wingers. Everton have also reportedly contacted Real Sociedad about a possible move for the Japanese star, according to Fabrizio Romano. Real Sociedad reject offer for PSG, Tottenham targetFichajes reports that Atlético de Madrid are eager to bring Kubo from Real Sociedad. The Madrid club has reportedly offered €35 million plus goalkeeper Carlos Marín, a standout in Atlético's reserve team. However, Real Sociedad's response was firm: they won't negotiate for less than €60 million, close to Kubo's release clause. The report mention that from the player's point of view, the situation is complicated. Kubo feels at home at Real Sociedad, where he plays a key role and enjoys strong support from the fans. On top of that, the Basque club will compete in European competitions, giving him an international stage to keep developing. Recently, Fichajes reported that Kubo's future is making headlines in the summer transfer window. The Japanese winger has requested to leave Real Sociedad, sparking interest from three major European clubs: Atlético de Madrid, Tottenham, and PSG.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
NFL Great J.J. Watt Enjoys Honeymoon Period As Espanyol Shareholder
Dawn is breaking at Espanyol in Spain's La Liga. Fans of the Parakeets, a team less followed and with more grounded aims than local colossus Barcelona, hope it won't be a false one. Meanwhile, ex-defensive end J.J. Watt has a role to play. Now turning his attention towards being an NFL game analyst this coming season at CBS Sports, dissecting a game he knows inside out, Watt got a first taste of another new role—in soccer—last weekend. The 36-year-old looked on from the stands, fists pumping, as Espanyol fought back to beat Atlético Madrid in the surprise result from the opening matchday. The former Houston Texans player is a shareholder of Velocity Sports Limited (VSL), an investment branch of ALK Capital, which is led by U.S. managing partner Alan Pace. VSL acquired Espanyol from the Rastar Group, controlled by the Chinese businessman Chen Yensheng, for a reported €130 million ($152 million) in July (though Rastar retains some input). VSL also controls Premier League club Burnley. Much optimism surrounds Watt's arrival. El Mundo has gone as far as calling him Espanyol's new idol (Spanish). Much of that is down to the American ingratiating himself after saying a couple of phrases in Catalan, enjoying a beer with supporters outside the stadium, and getting behind the players inside it. Watt says he can't return there until February because of work commitments on Sundays, yet it's already a shift from the previous owners, who were rarely present and oversaw two relegations despite initially eyeing a place in the Champions League. Is The Future Bright For Espanyol? There's a peculiarity with ownership in soccer today. Many, even those who attend every fixture or know their side's history back to front, will understand that a foreign executive arriving on the scene doesn't. But if they stay involved, not least by investing in the squad, that's good enough. Very much the face of VSL in Espanyol right now, Watt has made a good impression. Then again, it's the honeymoon period, and at a club whose main target will still be avoiding demotion to the second division. How Espanyol does under U.S. guidance in the long term is what matters. It's worth noting that while Burnley and Espanyol are part of the same investment group, and therefore could be deemed part of the growing multi-club ownership model, the Spanish entity stressed that each will remain independent. Still, when interests are diversified, does Espanyol become the priority, or is that consolidating Burnley's place in the Premier League? Then, there's a cultural angle; Watt may have donned the blue and white scarf, but VSL is adapting to a different division in a different country, and everything that entails. U.S. Links To Spanish Soccer Are Tightening Of course, U.S. majority ownership in European soccer—Spain in this instance—is nothing new. Notably, top-tier Mallorca has former tennis player Andy Kohlberg at the top, while Leganés—relegated to the Segunda in 2024/25—is led by Blue Crow Sports CEO Jeff Luhnow. All the while, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) has approved controversial plans to host a first La Liga game on U.S. soil (Miami) this December. As the games and seasons progress, with Espanyol set on taking more scalps after the fast start against Atlético, it will become clearer whether the Catalans benefit from their end of the deal. At least the initial signs are promising.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Leandro Trossard: Arsenal forward set to pen new deal as 'value' recognised
Leandro Trossard is set to sign a new contract at Arsenal. The Belgian, who joined the Gunners for £27million from Brighton and Hove Albion back in 2023, has spent two and a half seasons in north London, scoring 28 times and assisting 23 in 124 games at the Emirates Stadium. He has played a crucial role in Mikel Arteta's turning around of the club's fortunes, with Arsenal now firmly considered title contenders. The Athletic reports that the winger has agreed on fresh terms to his current deal, which will mean a 'significant' wage increase to reflect his valued role within the first-team fold. Trossard's current contract expires in 2027, and that will be the case once more with his new deal. Previous reports had claimed that Trossard could leave north London with Arsenal rumoured to be wanting to strengthen their frontline. Trossard was an unused substitute in Arsenal's opening-day victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday, when Riccardo Calafiori notched the winner. Trossard suffered a groin injury during the Gunners' pre-season friendly against rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong earlier last month, and has yet to return to action since then.
