Mallory Swanson has fired the United States to a year-starting 4-0 win over New Zealand to begin their campaign for a third straight Women’s World Cup title.
The world No.1 Americans kicked off their 2023 campaign on Wednesday in New Zealand, where they will play their World Cup group games at the co-hosted tournament with Australia.
A raucous and record Wellington crowd of 12,508 greeted the Football Ferns, who were heavy underdogs but managed to keep the US out until half-time.
In the second half, Swanson scored a double while Alex Morgan and Lynn Williams also got their names on the scoresheet to ensure they finished with a scoreline their dominance deserved.
The Americans have decided to tour New Zealand this month to prepare for the World Cup, which kicks off in July.
While the US has been able to select a full-strength side as the domestic league is in the off season, New Zealand was denied the same as the friendlies fall outside the FIFA window for international matches.
That made the task for Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova all the harder and she was forced to select uncapped players and start her midfielder captain Ali Riley at center-back.
Still, the Kiwis performed admirably in the first half to keep the notoriously ruthless visitors at bay.
When Margaret Purce nutmegged Ashleigh Ward to run into the box, New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler produced a world-class save to deny Lindsey Horan with her trailing foot.
As the US chances tallied up, Nayler was lucky to preserve her first-half clean sheet.
She saw Purce’s long range curler hit the post and bounce clear and was beaten by a free kick from Swanson – in her first international game without her maiden name of Pugh – only for Horan to be flagged offside.
After the break the US cut loose.
The injection of substitute Trinity Rodman proved crucial as the winger provided a fine cross for Swanson to rise above Riley and head home on 52 minutes.
Within 10 minutes, the score was 3-0, as Rose Lavelle’s brilliant back-heel released two-time World Cup winner Morgan to fire low past Nayler, and Ashley Sanchez played through Swanson for her double.
The creative Rodman played provider again on 75 minutes, finding fit-again Williams to complete the rout.
The two-match series concludes at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.
.