Rose Lavelle and Kristie Mewis scored when the U.S. women's national team played for the first time since March in a 2-0 win against the Netherlands 2-0 at Rat Verlegh Stadium in Breda, Netherlands, on Friday.
Lavelle made it 1-0 in the 41st minute and Mewis, who replaced Lavelle in the 61st minute, extended the lead in the 70th.
We wear Black Lives Matter to affirm human decency. This is not political, it’s a statement on human rights. pic.twitter.com/QHDAx4iv7k
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2020
41' | @roselavelle with her third goal of the year and it’s a BEAUT! pic.twitter.com/KEcK3qNdEV
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2020
Despite the layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the top-ranked team in the world dominated the No. 4 Dutch, outshooting the hosts 14-2 but U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher did not have to make a save.
Mewis, playing for the U.S. for the first time since March 10, 2014 — a span of 2,454 days — scored her second international goal in her 16th game. She played in the midfield alongside her sister, Samantha Mewis.
70' | In her first cap since 2014, @KristieMewie comes through with her second USWNT goal and first since 2013! pic.twitter.com/WdCQxW0Ade
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2020
The Americans last played 261 days ago in a 3-1 win over Japan on March 11. They finished this year winning all eight matches.
This was the first meeting between the teams since July 7, 2019, when the Americans won 2-0 in Lyon, France, for their fourth World Cup and second in a row.
Many of the Americans from the 2019 World Cup were on the roster for this match with the notable exception of Megan Rapinoe, who scored the first goal in the final.
Lavelle had the second goal in that match and punished the Netherlands again with a crafty strike for the lead. Christen Press started the break before sending Lavelle through on the right side. Lavelle cutback to her left and lofted a left-footed shot inside the far post for 13th international goal in 46 matches.
Alex Morgan made her first U.S. appearance since the World Cup. She gave birth to her daughter on May 7.
Welcome back @alexmorgan13!
Her first action for the red, white and blue in 509 days and her first USWNT cap since becoming a mom ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hg9vEGI5Jj— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 27, 2020
Sophie Smith, who plays for the Portland Thorns in the National Women's Soccer League, made her American debut in the 75th minute as did Florida State midfielder Jaelin Howell in the 89th.