The USWNT sealed their second-ever win under new manager Emma Hayes, with 16-year-old debutant Yohannes putting the cherry-on-top to the successful June camp.
A renovated U.S. women’s national team defeated South Korea once again in the second game of their pair of friendlies, with the USWNT having a pleasant rebuttal to their 4-0 win last Saturday.
Despite the plethora of substitutions — making a total of nine changes from their previous match just three days ago — the squad had no problems in putting another three past the AFC nation to get the 3-0 win in front the fans at the rainy Allianz Field in Minnesota.
Veteran national team player Crystal Dunn opened the scoring in the 12th minute after a cross from the left flank spilled through the box and left Dunn with an open net to get back on the score sheet for the USWNT after 75 caps.
Crystal Dunn gets us started in Minnesota! #USWNT x @vw pic.twitter.com/gcpZ5zAF1C
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 5, 2024
Casey Murph denied South Korea in the 30th minute with an acrobatic save to keep the USA's clean sheet.
.@CaseyMurph using every inch of that wingspan to keep the early lead pic.twitter.com/Gn3Wpp4DPm
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 5, 2024
The second half brought on a wave of substitutions, with Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson connecting the dots in the South Korean’s half to have an instant impact off the bench.
Rodman, to Smith, to Swanson and back to Smith to make it 2-0.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT FROM TRIN, MAL, AND SOPH!!!!!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/YlTpdlGVgX
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 5, 2024
Lily Yohannes scores in USWNT debut at 16 years of age
The 71st minute saw the introduction of none other than 16-year-old Lily Yohannes, making an appearance with the U.S. women’s national team as the eighth-youngest player of all-time to debut for the USWNT and the youngest player to take the field since March 2001.
This, however, did not seem enough for Yohannes.
Just nine minutes after being substituted onto the pitch, Yohannes broke another record and became the third-youngest player to ever score for the U.S. women. An unclaimed cross by Rodman across the 18 was too good of an opportunity for Yohannes to pass up on.
A DREAM DEBUT FOR LILY!!!!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/RWlOYpLSjj
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 5, 2024
“It’s a dream come true. I played this scenario so many times in my head before this game” said the Ajax player in a post-match interview.
“The support of my teammates, all running up to me made it just so much more special” she added.
We, too, want Lily's autograph ✍️ pic.twitter.com/9aCb2ZuY5d
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 5, 2024
The USWNT have now scored seven goals and conceded none in Hayes’ first two games in charge, with the impressive start to her command with the national team increasing the difficulty of cutting a handful of players prior to completing her official roster for the Paris Olympics.
