The United States women's national team defeated South Korea 6-0 on Tuesday night at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lindsey Horan, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Rose Lavelle, and Lynn Williams recorded goals in the final domestic match of the year for the USWNT. The night most notably served as a national team farewell for Carli Lloyd, who played in her final USWNT game before being subbed off in the second half.
In the final USWNT match for Lloyd, head coach Vlatko Andonovski made eight changes to his starting lineup that initially faced South Korea last week in Kansas City. Jane Campbell for Adrianna Franch in goal; Emily Fox, Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Sonnett for Kelley O'Hara, Casey Krueger and Becky Sauerbrunn on defense. Andi Sullivan featured in the midfield, and a new forward line of Sophia Smith, Lloyd and Mallory Pugh replaced Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.
After a scoreless draw last week, the U.S. were far more patient in the final third in their second match against South Korea, as Sullivan, Smith, Pugh, and Macario were breaking down lines and connecting their passes in the opposition's half. The breakthrough paid off early as a long ball from Sullivan to Smith, led to Horan's opening goal.
The U.S. extended the lead just before halftime after a shot from Fox led to a late half corner kick. The service from Macario into the box bounced off bodies, but not before Sullivan and Smith caused enough chaos to force an own goal for give the USWNT a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Morgan extended the scoreline with a third goal in the 69th minute. Rapinoe and Lavelle added goals before Lynn Williams capped off the big night with a sixth goal in late stoppage time.
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Lloyd's send-off
The USWNT said farewell to Lloyd and her 17-year national team career in the second half. Lloyd exited the international stage with the second all-time most caps for the USWNT with 316 and is third all-time for national team goals with 134.
Look ahead
The 6-0 win could be the final game on American soil in 2021 for U.S. Soccer, with a trip to Australia lined up in late November which would feature two matches in and around Sydney under strict COVID-19 protocols. More information on these potential matches could become available in the coming weeks, and are dependent on the approval of Australian government.