Goalkeeper performed her ultimate recreation for the US ladies’s nationwide workforce in a 2-1 win towards the Netherlands on Tuesday to shut out the 12 months for the workforce. Naeher ends her worldwide profession with 115 caps and 69 shutouts. Though there wasn’t a clear sheet towards the Netherlands, she got here up with a number of key saves, together with a leaping response block within the thirty eighth minute and a sprawling cease along with her ft within the 69th minute.
It was a poor first half from the US. Head coach Emma Hayes made an uncommon shift in her lineup, pushing into the left-wing place whereas lining up , Korbin Albert and Lindsey Horan in midfield. However they had been ineffective within the center, which, mixed with having a foul recreation at left again, left the protection largely uncovered.
The Netherlands took full benefit, working the midfield and urgent deep whereas the U.S. struggled taking part in out underneath stress. Within the eleventh minute, the Netherlands scored the opener from a set piece as Albert didn’t mark her participant within the field tightly sufficient, leaving 18-year-old Veerle Buurman in the appropriate spot for a header that looped over Naeher’s outstretched glove to make it 1-0.
Buurman headed in one other aim for the Netherlands, though it was into her personal internet within the forty fourth minute, gifting the U.S. the momentum going into the break at 1-1.
Hayes made two modifications to start out the second half, bringing on for and for Nighswonger whereas shifting Emily Fox to left again. She additionally withdrew Lavelle deeper, though she had already been dropping all through the primary half, in addition to switching sides of the sphere to seek out an outlet for the assault.
Hayes went with nearly a whole line rotation within the 67th minute, subbing out Horan, Albert, and Lavelle for Lily Yohannes, , and . This was Yohannes’ first cap for the U.S. since formally declaring her intention to play for the workforce. Yohannes was utilized in an attacking-midfield function behind Williams whereas Thompson assumed her typical spot on the left wing and Hershfelt dropped deep in midfield.
Williams gave the U.S. the lead within the seventieth minute, neatly ending a cross delivered from on the appropriate. Ryan was a relentless supply of vitality all through this recreation, following up a equally shiny efficiency in towards England.
The 17-year-old Yohannes seemed barely nervy on the ball, which was comprehensible given she was taking part in towards the opposite nation courting her senior nationwide workforce allegiance. Dutch followers booed and whistled at any time when Yohannes was on the ball, presumably in disapproval of her choice to play for the U.S.
Hayes’ ultimate sub was Ally Sentnor for Ryan within the eighty fifth minute in a like-for-like swap.
The U.S. had a late probability on aim as Thompson fought her well beyond a defender and tried to place in a tough shot on aim at a steep angle. Thompson, like Ryan, as soon as once more seemed comfy in her place within the minutes she had on the sphere.
Conversely, a number of apparent positions had been missing on this recreation, with Albert wanting disconnected from the entrance line within the midfield to Nighswonger getting crushed on protection. Horan additionally couldn’t discover the appropriate sense of timing or urgency on the ball. With Hershfelt, Yohannes and Shaw all circling beginning roles, Hayes will undoubtedly experiment additional all through 2025.
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US Ladies’s nationwide workforce, Netherlands, Soccer, NWSL
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