It’s time for another FIFA women’s international window, and with no major tournaments this year, the United States Women’s National Team has prepared a pair of friendly matches against Ireland, plus one in DC against Canada. The excitement begins tonight, with the first game against Ireland!
This camp represents Washington Spirit’s Croix Bethune’s return to the USWNT for the first time since last year’s Olympics. She and teammate Tara Morgan join a group mainly composed of NWSL players still competing to impress Emma Hayes and cement their places in the squad. Here’s their lineup for the evening:
Ireland may not have qualified for the 2025 Euros, but they’ve had a fairly successful 2025 so far, winning four of five matches and qualifying for promotion playoffs in the UEFA Women’s Nations League. As usual, Ireland’s squad for tonight’s match includes a number of players from the NWSL, including former Spirit player Marissa Sheva. Here’s how they’ll look tonight:
Chat about the match here!
USA vs. Republic of Ireland
Advertised Kick-off Time: 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
Available TV: TBS, truTV (English), Universo (Spanish)
Available streaming: Max (English), Peacock (Spanish)
Woohoo! Let’s go!
Starting XIs added!
Interesting. I guess Hayes wants to keep Sonnett involved, but I certainly hope she’s not above Mckeown and Sams in the depth chart, cuz Sonnett at cb is not elite
I do wonder if Coffey and Hutton end up being it as the double pivot. Hutton, despite her youth, is a baller
Agreed. But Sonnett is a swiss army knife as a player. And in a condensed tournament like a WC or Olympics it’s useful to have 1 or 2 of those players who can fill in at 4-6 positions.
Ugh, I’ve forgotten how effortless Girma makes the quite difficult look
She is crazy elite. She could take up ballet and feature immediately….
This feels like a training session for high pressure of an opponent’s defense
Absolute dynamite Coffey diagonal to Thompson to get her behind, shot is spectacularly saved
Hutton tests goalie again
Patterson, who might actually be the tallest player for the USWNT on the field, despite being a RB, scores a mighty header!
1-0 US
Nasty slice on Cooper from behind, my goodness
No idea how that’s not a card, I’ve seen less convincing tackles get reds
Ref waits an embarrassingly long time to let Cooper back on to play
Patterson is clearly better than any Irish player tonight. She’s a prospect fullback. I’m liking our chances
Will be interesting to see how much Emma will sub, or if she’ll leave players on to squeeze this already ragged looking Irish side
Geez, I thought Rose was past it, she’s very vibrant out there right now. Guess she was just battling something she’s largely got over. If she can also find full form again, angels will weep (or at least opponents)
Yeah. Consistency has sometimes been an issue for her. But the single biggest problem has been health. If she’s going to be a starter for the USWNT, you need to have a “like for like” replacement. Otherwise, it’s like Klinsman starting Altidore in his WC plans and then having no similar player when Altidore gets a hammy (shocker!).
Ireland defending strongly, but they’re losing their minds trying to deal with the combination of dribbling prowess, athleticism, skill, and speed they’re facing.
Think it’s just a matter of familiarity holding the US from blowing the doors off, the creativity is there
Wonder if Hayes decides that the Sentnor as CF is a dud after this. Just don’t think it suits her, though she’s great dribbling through and scoring
I’m not a fan of her as a starter. But the combination of her track record scoring late, clutch goals and her thunder-bastard of a shot from distance make her a great candidate to bring off the bench when you need a goal and the other side has parked the bus.
Coffey’s been really good tonight, as always.
Yep. In video game parlance, her score as a 6 would be well over 90
Coffey has enough of us not scoring, drives into a gap and finishes across the keeper. She’s a champ
I thought this game might have been the opportunity for Hutton to ball out, but Patterson has been mesmerizing
I just remembered we don’t have Lily Yohannes on the pitch to connect these pieces even better, and I felt legitimate pity for the rest of the teams
First truly lethal team interplay give Lavelle the goal
Beautiful movement for goal #3
Lynn hasn’t even been brought on. If the defenders thought they were hurting now, a fresh Lynn should do it
Alyssa with the filth
Alyssa Thompson with a brilliant run, movement, and shot to beat the keeper far post.
Hey, Annie, didn’t Sheva used to be a Spirit player?
Good thing we’re deeply superior, this ref has a problem
They do bring in Lynn. They give her four or five opportunities, she’ll get a hattrick against this exhausted squad
Genuinely terrifying that we could bring Lily and the entirety of the Triple Espresso back into this.
Sears and Ryan in for Alyssa and Sentnor. No mercy
First time really getting a look at Bugg. She’s a very classy talent with that touch, sharpness, and passing
An absolute fingernail save denies Moultrie’s shot onto the crossbar
Game over. 4-0, could have been a bajillion, but what a powerful young core is coming through
Better than the USMNT that’s for sure.