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The United States women’s national team ended the 2023 calendar year with a 2-1 comeback victory vs. China on Tuesday.
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore utilized an interesting 3-4-2-1 formation that had a blend of familiar names and newcomers.
Unfortunately, the first half reflected just that: Many players who haven’t played much time together in a formation they didn’t appear comfortable in. There was little to discuss about the USWNT’s attack in the first half.
The attacking front of Ashley Hatch, Lynn Williams, Jaedyn Shaw and Lindsey Horan couldn’t break through China’s stiff defense.
USWNT vs China highlights
China then stunned the fans in attendance at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, by taking the lead in stoppage time of the first half. China recorded just one shot on target all game, but that’s all they needed to get on the board.
China strike first and the USWNT concede for the first time since July, when they drew 1-1 vs. Netherlands at the World Cup
Watch the match on TruTV and Max pic.twitter.com/gqUPiCd2Rf— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 6, 2023
There was a question of offside, but with no VAR in use the goal stood.
This was only the third goal the USWNT had conceded all year and the first since July in the World Cup against the Netherlands.
Several second half substitutions freshened up the USWNT as Midge Purce replaced Emily Fox who had suffered a concussion and Sophia Smith came on for Ashley Hatch at the No. 9 position.
Further reinforcements were added in the 58th minutes when Williams came out for Trinity Rodman.
The USWNT needed to wake up, and what better way than with some coffee. Sam Coffey to be exact.
With all the attacking firepower on the field, the equalizing goal came from the most unlikely source with Coffey getting the Stars and Stripes level.
Sam Coffey scores her first international goal in style
Watch USA vs. China on TruTV and Max pic.twitter.com/IHwXK2uXQY— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 6, 2023
This was Coffey’s first USWNT goal and her first goal for club or country since September 2022 with the Portland Thorns.
Following Coffey’s goal, the USWNT continued to knock on the door in search of a go-ahead goal. Horan headed in from close range in the 67th minute but the offside flag denied her the goal.
The game-winner came from the hometown kid, Shaw. The 19-year-old Frisco native struck in the 79th minute with a powerful shot into the bottom corner. This was her second-ever goal for the national team and her first start.
Jaedyn Shaw puts the U.S. ahead in her hometown of Frisco
Watch USA vs. China on TruTV and Max pic.twitter.com/PAeukntPrq— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 6, 2023
3 - At 19 years, 15 days old, Jaedyn Shaw is the third-youngest player to score in her first start in @USWNT history with only Heather O'Reilly (18-163) in 2003 and Christie Welsh (18-347) in 2000 doing so at a younger age. Undaunted. pic.twitter.com/2Yt6KJFSbH
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) December 6, 2023
The USWNT never looked like conceding after taking the lead and pushed for a third goal. The 2-1 result gives the USWNT their 14th and final victory of 2023.
In total the USWNT played 18 games in the calendar year and didn’t lose a single one in regulation. The sole defeat came in penalty kicks to Sweden in the Women’s World Cup.
Next year will be a critical one for the USWNT as a new generation will seek to reclaim the title of being the best in the world.
Plenty of excitement is on the horizon as incoming head coach Emma Hayes will join the team in late May, we’ll see the first-ever Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup played in February and the big one will be the Paris Olympics.
