The US Women’s National Team suffered an early scare from Switzerland in their friendly at US Bank Stadium, but came back to win thoroughly 5-1.
The Yanks started strong with three shots in the first five minutes, including an almost own goal from Switzerland after a scuffed cross from Carli Lloyd.
But it was Switzerland who would strike first on a quick counter. Ashlyn Harris parried the initial shot, but sent it to the top of the box where an on-rushing Sandrine Mauron sent the ball into the back of the net.
The game settled into what some would call “chippy,” with heavy tackles on display and neither team putting together extended possession.
Crystal Dunn started to reawaken the American attack with a hard shot on Thalmann in goal. Then in the 25th minute, Carli Lloyd, the best woman on the pitch, put on a show with an absolute stunner from 27 yards out that she fired on goal.
The US continued to have chances throughout the rest of the half, none closer than Crystal Dunn’s shot against the post in the 42nd minute. Lynn Harris sent in a cross that Dunn turned and sent hard against the woodwork.
The two sides went into the half even at one goal a piece.
After the break it was Lloyd again who would find the net in the 51st minute. On a break, Lloyd sent in a pass to Christen Press (who came on in the second half) with the outside of her boot. Press maneuvered and sent a ball off her defender that fortuitously found its way to Lloyd, who scored from the top of the box.
Just three minutes later Press got another chance with a long ball from Andi Sullivan. Press sent in a long chip over Thalmann, a classy finish in the 53rd minute.
Crystal Dunn would join the pile-on with a goal in the 63rd minute. Lynn Harris was set loose by Carli Lloyd and sent a cross through the box for Dunn to finish. 4-1: the rout was on.
Christen Press again found herself with an opportunity to score one on one with the keeper in the 71st minute, but put the ball off the top of the crossbar.
Kealia Ohai made her first appearance, coming on in the 81st minute and immediately made an impact. 48 seconds later, she struck gold with a far post finish to kick off her international career in style to make it 5-1. The score would hold and the US beat Switzerland by four for the second time in a week.
Jill Ellis offered up a side that looked quite different from the team that was unceremoniously dumped from the Olympics in the summer. Playing a 3-5-2, Ellis also started newcomers Lynn Williams, Andi Sullivan, and Casey Short, each of whom earned their first caps in the 4-0 midweek victory over Switzerland.
The match was a welcome return for international soccer to Minnesota. Attendance was announced at 23,400, a record of the US women in Minnesota. The US women last played in Minnesota nine years ago.
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