The US women’s national team (USWNT) beat #22-ranked Ireland 2-0, with goals from Emily Fox and Lindsey Horan leading the way.

The US team have been dominant, winning big games against several top teams like Canada (#6), Japan (#11), and Brazil (#9) in the SheBelieves Cup.

Not only have they had success on the pitch as they tune up for what promises to be the most competitive World Cup yet in the summer, but they’ve also had success off the pitch. 20,593 people crowded into the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, to watch the US see off Ireland in a dominant 2-0 victory.

North Carolina Courage defender Fox started the scoring when she received a pass from Washington Spirit’s Andi Sullivan.

After bursting through the defense, she scored from outside the box, steering her shot past Everton keeper Courtney Brosnan.

The US scored another when vetted midfielder Julie Ertz, fresh from a 20-month-absence from the national team, sent in a big cross to Lyon star Lindsey Horan, when Reading defender Diane Caldwell pulled her down in the box.

Horan took and scored the following penalty, which Brosnan deflected, but still rocketed into the roof of the net.

Injury sours victory

Although the US will undoubtedly celebrate their win against Ireland as they head to St. Louis to play the Girls in Green again, the win came with a big loss.

United States forward Mallory Swanson, arguably the face of the national team, suffered a torn patella tendon in her left knee and had to be carted off.

The timeline for an average person is from 6 months to a year, so the United States will likely lose its brightest star for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

USWNT tactics

The US dominated, getting 25 shots, eight of which were on target. They held 70% possession and made almost 300 more passes than Ireland.

The team’s dynamic tactics are like a snake.

A snake is explosive, and with some species, violently constricts its prey, choking it to death. Manager Vlatko Andonovski used the dynamic front three (Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Swanson), and forced the Irish team into its own half, constantly attacking and squeezing it until the US got some goals.

The US will look to test out more ideas and keep its winning streak going into their next match. They will face Ireland in St. Louis City’s CITYPARK on Tuesday at 7:30 PM EST. It will likely be their last game until the 2023 World Cup, where they will play Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Portugal in the group stage.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire