USWNT Recap: Crystal Dunn Breaks Goalscoring Drought

The U.S. sails past South Korea once again

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Soccer

After defeating South Korea on June 1, the United States Women’s National Team once again defeated the nation on Tuesday evening.

Emma Hayes rotated her squad as the starting XI featured nine new starters. Casey Murphy earned the start in net with Sam Staab, Emily Sonnett, Jenna Nighswonger, and Casey Krueger made up the back line. The midfield featured Rose Lavelle, Korbin Albert, and Lindsey Horan while Jaedyn Shaw, Alex Morgan, and Crystal Dunn made up the attacking trip.

It was a historic night as Lavelle earned her 100th cap for the WNT and after earning her first cap in the previous start, Staab earned her first start. Also, according to U.S. Soccer, the match was Crystal Dunn's first start for the USWNT as a forward since July 30, 2017.

Dunn would show her scoring prowess in the 13th minute as she managed to get on a cross delivered by Nighswonger that scampered through the box. Dunn’s goal ended an unfortunate streak of 75 USWNT matches without a goal.

The first 10 minutes were a back-and-forth match with the goal allowing the USWNT to play a much more confident game. The stars and stripes would seize control of the game but South Korea nearly leveled the score. So-Yun Ji curled a free kick from just outside the box towards the far post in the 28th minute but Murphy made a fantastic diving save.

Emma Hayes made a flurry of changes in the second half. Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Samantha Coffey, and Mallory Swanson replaced Horan, Morgan Nighswonger, and Lavelle in the 62nd minute.

These subs would change the game as the match opened up and the USWNT found their second goal. In the 67th minute, the U.S. forced a turnover and Smith ended up rounding the goalkeeper and scoring from an awkward angle to make it a 2-0 ballgame.

It was also a historic night for 16-year-old Lily Yohannes. The Ajax midfielder became the youngest player to make a debut for the USWNT since 2001 when she replaced Albert in the 72nd minute.

The debut was even more special as the 16-year-old tallied the third goal of the evening in the 83rd minute. The calmness she took striking the ball made Yohannes appear to be a veteran, not a player making her debut. With the goal she became the third-youngest goalscorer in USWNT history.

While unable to secure the victory for South Korea, veteran goalkeeper Jung-Mi Kim had a fantastic game. She made some impressive saves over the course of the match on Tuesday evening.

But now the focus for the USWNT will turn to the Summer Olympics, Hayes’ first true test as head coach of the U.S.