Wellington, New Zealand (PSF) — On Tuesday, the USWNT took on the New Zealand Women’s National Football Team (Football Ferns) in their first match of 2023. With just six months until the World Cup, head coach Vlatko Andonovski is set on picking the top twenty-three for the tournament. For the first time in a while, the starting 11 and full roster saw some variety. Regulars Sophia Smith and Megan Rapinoe did not come to this camp, due to minor injuries. Lynn Williams received her first call-up in almost a year, after a hamstring injury sidelined her.  Andonovski started Taylor Korneick, Midge Purce, and Crystal Dunn for the first time in a while, and all three of them showed why they deserved to be there. The goalpost robbed Purce of an early goal. Korneick adjusted quickly to playing as a six. Dunn played strong defense, preventing New Zealand from creating chances.

The first half ended with a 0-0 score line, and not much of note from either team. The US could not finish their chances and some players seemed almost uninterested in pressing. Lindsay Horan had great opportunity early, but her shot felt half-hearted. All around, the first half just felt slow. The second half kicked off with four substitutes, all of which seemed very smart. Alana Cook replaced Naomi Girma at center back, adding veteran talent to the back line. Cook and Becky Sauerbrunn have played center back together for many matches. Sofia Huerta replaced Crystal Dunn. The back line with Cook, Sauerbrunn, Emily Fox, and Huerta now matched a common starting defense for Andonovski. Andi Sullivan, typically the team’s starting six, replaced Korneick. Finally, young talent Trinity Rodman replaced Purce, proving to be the best sub made that game. Rodman fit into the front line with Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson instantly. From her first touch, Rodman created chances for Swanson and Morgan. In the 52nd minute, Rodman set up the team’s first goal of 2023. Swanson finished the ball in from Rodman, with a perfect header. Rose Lavelle showed up ready to play in the second half as well. In the 60th minute, she completed a backheel pass to Morgan, setting up the team’s second goal. Andonovski then subbed Lavelle out for Ashley Sanchez in the 61st minute. Lavelle had been dominating most of the game, so that sub came as a surprise. Subbing out Horan would have made more sense. Swanson scored her second goal of the day in the 63rd minute with an assist from Ashley Sanchez. Sanchez set Swanson up from midfield, and Swanson took it in behind the keeper. In the 67th minute, Swanson was subbed out for Lynn Williams. Williams showed that her return was worth the wait with a header goal in the 74th minute, set up perfectly by Rodman.

The US looked like a completely different team during the second half. They were working together much more effectively, finishing chances they created for one another, and preventing New Zealand from seizing opportunities. This was the first year since 1999 that the US started a World Cup year with a win. They take on New Zealand again on Friday January 20th, and it’ll be interesting to see how that match compares to this one.