The U.S. women’s national team passed its latest test of conviction on Sunday night as super subs came to the rescue for their first comeback win of the Emma Hayes era.
“I want us to start better,” Hayes prefaced. “But how we ended, for me is another sign of the belief that we can come back from any situation.”
A 3-1 home victory over Iceland at GEODIS Park saw second-half goals from Lynn Williams, Lindsey Horan, and Emma Sears. Emily Says debuted and goalkeeper Casey Murphy made two saves as she got the nod over Alyssa Naeher in between the posts.
The USWNT dominated first-half possession as usual but failed to create a single big chance with only five shots through the first 45 minutes. Iceland did not manage heavy chance- creation themselves but still handed the USWNT their first deficit under Hayes with a stunning Karólína Lea Vihjálmsdóttir olimpico over the head of Murphy.
“I thought the first half was slow from us, from everything,” Hayes said. “Just the way we moved the ball, the way we pressed, to the lack of movement.”
As the second half progressed, Hayes threw the kitchen sink at Iceland with a host of attacking substitutes including a national team debut for Racing Louisville’s Sears. It would not take long for the 23-year-old winger to assist fellow substitute Williams for a 72nd-minute equalizer.
LYNN SLOTS IT IN!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/RIFhKEUu0B
Williams quickly capitalized on the momentum by providing an assist of her own for another fellow substitute Horan four minutes later to score the winner. Adding the cherry on top, Sears guided home a debut goal in stoppage time to complete the flattering 3-1 scoreline.
“I think it’s honestly hard to find the words right now,” Sears said. “This feels surreal not only to be surrounded by such amazing people but also by players that I have looked up to for so many years. I’m super honored to have been invited to this camp and be able to grow in this environment. I think it is super huge for me. Super surreal moment.”
The 23rd player in USWNT history to score in her first cap: Emma Sears!!!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/OTfoM3xWv9
The USWNT concludes their October window on Wednesday in Louisville, KY against Argentina where they will aim to keep their winning streak rolling.
BTW, for those interested, the women’s U-17 team beat Nigeria 2-0 yesterday in the U-17 World Cup and is now in the semifinals of the tournament.
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