USA vs Ireland score, result as Alana Cook goal gives USWNT friendly win as World Cup nears

Kyle Bonn

USA vs Ireland score, result as Alana Cook goal gives USWNT friendly win as World Cup nears image

A birthday goal from Alana Cook gave the U.S. women a narrow 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their final friendly before World Cup rosters are solidified, but it was far from convincing.

Manager Vlatko Andonovski has decisions to make between now and late June when the USWNT World Cup roster is announced, and this second friendly against Ireland won't have made those any easier. The U.S. were consistently hemmed in by the Ireland low block, and they struggled to create chances in front of goal.

Undoubtedly, the U.S. coaching staff will point out that the Americans were defensively stout, with Ireland pinned back in their own half repelling U.S. attacks over and over. Still, the U.S. will need to be more incisive against heavily defensive teams once the World Cup arrives. The loss of Mallory Swanson to a serious knee injury loomed large in this match as her replacement, 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, was energetic but failed to produce any truly solid chances on goal.

The goal by defender Alana Cook was the lone moment of celebration as she chipped the goalkeeper from nearly the midfield line. Yet it was almost a hometown party as St. Louis native Becky Sauerbrunn, who captained the U.S. from the start, came agonizingly close to scoring her first international goal on her 216th cap, hitting the crossbar with a set-piece header.

With no more matches for the national team between now and when the World Cup roster is announced in late June, its up to players to perform at the club level to impress the coaching staff and earn a spot on the squad.

 MORE: The latest on Mallory Swanson's knee injury which will sideline her for months

USA vs Ireland final score

  1H 2H Final
USA 1 0 1
Ireland 0 0 0

Goals:
43rd min — USA — Alana Cook

Lineups:

USA (4-3-3, right to left): 18. Murphy (GK) — 5. O'Hara (Krueger, 46'), 15. Cook, 4. Sauerbrunn (Davidson, 29'), 3. Huerta — 2. Sanchez, 17. Sullivan (Ertz, 46'), 10. Horan (K. Mewis, 60') — 28. Thompson, 13. Morgan (Hatch, 46'), 11. Smith (Rodman, 46').

Rep. of Ireland (5-4-1, right to left): 1. Brosnan (GK) — 14. Payne (O'Hanlon, 85'), 6. Connolly, 4. Lu. Quinn, 7. Caldwell (Nolan, 59'), 11. McCabe — 15. Lo. Quinn (McLaughlin, 69'), 10. O'Sullivan, 8. Littlejohn (Grant, 59'), 24. Sheva (O'Gorman, 69') — 22. Carusa (Barrett, 85').

USWNT vs Ireland post match analysis

Andonovski focused on individuals over team collective

The United States managed to control much of this game, but the end product up front was lacking. While the U.S. put together over 3.0 expected goals against Ireland in the first friendly, tonight it was right around 0.5 xG, which is well below standards.

I asked USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski in the post-match press conference what the team was missing in front of goal tonight, as it appeared that they controlled the pace of the game and created a number of good attacking moves, but just lacked the final ball to break down an organized Ireland side like they did on Saturday.

Andonvoski reiterated, as he had said a few times in the press conference, that while the first friendly saw them focus more on team cohesion and mentality, tonight was a collective focus on individual performances, with a number of players in the squad who had been out of the team for a while. The coaching staff wanted to see these players focus on their own performances rather than burden them with too much tactical approach. He said that they "expected" a bit of disjointed play, and that he was "not concerned" by the lack of free-flowing movement up front in the final third.

USWNT World Cup squad to be narrowed over next few months

The United States will release their World Cup roster in late June, and between now and then, Vlatko Andonovski said he has decisions to make regarding about 10-12 players who are up for 6-7 roster spots. Andonovski made it clear that those numbers are approximations, but clearly the coaching staff have a pretty good idea of who will be on the plane to New Zealand.

Tonight's match featured a number of players who are probably right on that cut line. Alyssa Thompson had a solid showing as she fights to take one of the final spots after the injury to Mallory Swanson, while Kelley O'Hara has been out of the squad for some time, and Tierna Davidson got a solid hour to show what she has to offer after returning from an ACL tear. Julie Ertz and Ashley Hatch also appeared, and they will look to fight for a place.

Nobody on the fringe really covered themselves in glory tonight, but it seems like Andonovski didn't have wildly high expectations for players who have been out of the fold for some time.

USWNT vs Ireland live updates, highlights, commentary

Final: USA 1-0 Ireland

The United States get the victory on Alana Cook's bonkers midfield chip goal, but it was far from convincing. Ireland hemmed in the United States with a low block and pressed in numbers to also create a few counter-attack opportunities.

Overall, however, the U.S. were the better side. While Ireland defended quite well, they had very few actual dangerous looks on goal, and it was comfortable for the United States to poke and prod at the Ireland back line. It wasn't pretty, but with the World Cup nearly here, it didn't have to be.

90+6 min: Ireland's Megan Connolly absorbs a yellow card at the death to stop Trinity Rodman from breaking away, dragging the young U.S. winger back by the arm.

90+2 min: Well, so much for that, as Thompson comes back on. Good on her!

Ireland, meanwhile, are pushing to try and grab a late equalizer, sending defender Megan Connolly forward as a second striker.

90th min: Thompson walks gingerly off the field, and more than likely the U.S. will play through the six minutes of stoppage time with one less player, as Vlatko Andonovski has been very cautious with injured players. Rose Lavelle, for example, was held out of this match with a knock, and Andonovski mentioned she was unhappy that she was kept on the sidelines.

87th min: Well, this is a real problem. Alyssa Thompson reaches for a ball down the right and goes down to the turf holding her left calf. It looks painful, but could be nothing more than a cramp. The 18-year-old in her third international cap has been heavily involved in the match, but it's been a frustrating one. Hopefully she's OK to continue, as the U.S. have made all their changes for the evening.

Officially, a near-capacity crowd is announced in St. Louis, although it didn't quite look like that from the broadcast and images on social media.

84th min: Chance, Ireland! The best look for the Irish tonight sees Denise O'Sullivan thread Kyra Carusa in vertically, but she's marshaled well to the outside and her shot is dragged just wide. It's not far off from Carusa, in her last action of the match, and it's a bit too easy for the U.S. to allow an opponent straight down the gut.

They make a change with Heather Payne coming off in favor of Tara O'Hanlon, while Carusa exits for Amber Barrett to come on.

79th min: U.S. forward Ashley Hatch takes a hit from a deep position at the top corner of the penalty area, trying to sneak it into the far corner of the net, and she comes close as she hits it while falling over. The ball sails just inches over the crossbar and nestles on the top of the net.

77th min: Ireland press forward and win a corner, and it's an awkward one for the U.S. to deal with as it swings towards the far post, but eventually Casey Krueger clears it with a big swing and thump.

72nd min: Trinity Rodman makes things happen down the left, slicing towards the end line just outside the six-yard box, but her short cutback is intercepted and cleared. The U.S. continue to probe, but as of now, the Ireland shape has repeatedly baffled them.

68th min: The U.S.  have another spell of attacking possession but can't get a shot on goal as they see a couple of efforts stymied by good last-ditch defending.

Ireland with another pair of changes as Marissa Sheva and Louise Quinn come off, replaced by veteran Aine O'Gorman and Roma McLaughlin.

64th min: Chance, USA! Trinity Rodman produces a delicious backheel down the left flank to spring a one-two with Ashley Sanchez, and her ball forward gets Alyssa Thompson free on goal. Thompson reaches the ball, but goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan comes off her line to smother the ball before Thompson can get a shot off. That's a beautiful move that probably deserved better!

59th min: While Ireland make their substitutions, USA's Lindsey Horan receives some medical treatment in midfield. It's a worry for the U.S. as she looks in some pain, with the trainers potentially working on a groin issue. Vlatko Andonovski has only one sub left, and he takes it to bring Kristie Mewis on to replace Horan, who hands the captain's armband to Julie Ertz.

Hopefully that's not too serious of an issue, and her quick chat with Andonovski as she exits seems to make it look like she's not too worried.

57th min: The game's first booking is shown to Ruesha Littlejohn as she drags back Casey Krueger about five times down the right flank with Krueger threatening to run away with the ball. Finally, the referee blows the whistle and shows the yellow card.

Ireland make two changes as Littlejohn comes off alongside Diane Caldwell, with Hayley Nolan and Ciara Grant coming on.

54th min: Julie Ertz on the ball at the top of the attacking third points for Ashley Sanchez to make a run, which she does, and Ertz chips the ball over the top for her. Sanchez does well to get by her defender, but can't bring the ball down from an awkward angle vertically. Kind of sums up the evening for the USWNT so far. Good movement, good ideas, execution spotty.

51st min: The U.S. have spent the opening stage of this half pumping the Ireland box with balls for Alyssa Thompson and Ashley Hatch. The passing through midfield has been sloppy, but the U.S. look more energetic than they did in the first half.

Kickoff: Vlatko Andonovski is making four changes as the break, with Trinity Rodman, Julie Ertz, Ashley Hatch, and Casey Krueger all entering the field. Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Kelley O'Hara, and Andi Sullivan are withdrawn.

We're under way for the second half, as the U.S. get the final 45 minutes kicked off!

Halftime: USA 1-0 Ireland

What a moment right before the break to put the USWNT ahead! Vlatko Andonovski has a lot of things to address at halftime, as the U.S. struggled to break down the Ireland back line for much of the half, but they go into the locker room with the lead.

Ireland weren't terribly threatening through that opening 45 minutes, but they did provide a few dangerous moments on the counter.

43rd min: GOAL! USA! DID THAT JUST HAPPEN!?!?!?!?! ALANA COOK JUST CHIPPED THE GOALKEEPER FROM MIDFIELD!!! What a way to score your first international goal, and on her birthday!

To be honest, it looked as if Cook was hoping to loft the ball into the penalty area for a teammate, but it sailed on both her and Courtney Brosnan, and it finds the back of the net!

40th min: A great move gets Sophia Smith on the ball in a dangerous position in the penalty area, but as the ball comes in she's challenged by Katie McCabe and falls to the turf. She pops up arms outstretched wanting a penalty but nothing is given.

37th min: Alyssa Thompson and Alex Morgan combine to win a U.S. corner, looking for some improvement from set piece opportunities. It's Ashley Sanchez to take, and it's scuffed, clearly not finding its target as there's nobody to meet it at the penalty spot. The mass of bodies was closer to the goal mouth.

On the follow-up, Sophia Smith takes a hit on goal from deep and it nearly finds Lindsey Horan on the doorstep, but the offside flag is up.

33rd min: A long ball forward from Tierna Davidson for Alex Morgan is a dangerous one, springing the U.S. striker free on goal and forcing Courtney Brosnan to come off her line to clear the ball just before Morgan could latch on.

29th min: The pre-planned substitution is made as Becky Sauerbrunn is withdrawn in favor of Tierna Davidson. The Portland Thorns have a match on Friday so Vlatko Andonovski gives Sauerbrunn some additional rest. She very nearly got a goal, and overall has a wonderful moment to savor from her 200th cap celebration prior to starting with the captain's armband.

Lindsey Horan takes the armband. Good luck back with the Thorns, Becky!

25th min: Ireland are building back into this game with some added possession. Casey Murphy has to tip an awkward one over the bar as the ball popped high off the striker Kyra Carusa and nearly squeaked under the crossbar. The header by Louise Quinn off the corner is wide left.

23rd min: We may get an early substitution for the United States — earlier than usual — as Tierna Davidson warms on the sideline. 37-year-old Becky Sauerbrunn, who is wearing the captain's armband, may be more of an emotional selection today than a tactical one, and after starting and playing 90 minutes on Saturday, she could be brought off in the first half, it would seem.

20th min: Casey Murphy comes off her line to collect a cross up high from Katie McCabe. Ireland have been pesky in midfield and are causing a number of U.S. turnovers, looking to break immediately. Andi Sullivan with a particularly bad one just over the midway line.

16th min: Chance, USA! Alyssa Thompson crops up in the penalty area on the ball, receiving it on the penalty spot with her back to goal from Alex Morgan wide right. The 18-year-old definitely could have turned and shot, but she unselfishly lays it off to Sophia Smith in a great spot. You'd expect Smith to score from about 13 yards out, but she blazes her shot miles high of the crossbar.

14th min: The U.S. have dominated possession so far in this match, but are taking no chances on it, filtering it back at the first sign of resistance. Ireland are in a very rigid 5-4-1 low block, defending with numbers both through the middle and out wide. It's very structured and will be tough for the U.S. to break down. The hosts have tried to go to Kelley O'Hara wide left a few times to no avail.

10th min: Off another U.S. corner, Kelley O'Hara rips one from the top-left corner of the penalty area. Her shot makes it through the trees, but skitters just agonizingly wide.

8th min: Arsenal wide player Katie McCabe charges forward on the ball with lots of space and has a hit from a dangerous position, but the shot is a poor one and it's easy for Casey Murphy to collect.

3rd min: Chance, USA! ALL OF ST. LOUIS HELD ITS BREATH AS BECKY SAUERBRUNN HITS THE CROSSBAR! Oh, man, what a story that would have been, for her to score her first USWNT goal in her 216th cap in St. Louis, her hometown. She came so close as her header gets over Courtney Brosnan and hits the underside of the woodwork, bouncing down and then out.

Sauerbrunn runs back to her defensive position with a huge smile on her face. It may not have happened, but she still enjoyed that moment. Will Becky ever find an international goal?

2nd min: Both teams showing early attacking intent. Ireland start by picking out Kyra Carusa with a long ball but she's dispossessed at the top of the penalty area, before the U.S. win an early corner with an attack down the left.

Kickoff: The national anthems are complete and the match is under way in St. Louis! Looks like a decent — not great, but decent — crowd at CityPark.

USA vs Ireland: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

3 mins to kick: Before the start of the match, they're recognizing Becky Sauerbrunn for her 200th cap with the USWNT in her hometown. She achieved the double century mark back in February of 2020, but with the COVID-19 pandemic raging at the time and the team playing in front of empty crowds, they decided to honor her tonight in St. Louis.

9 mins to kick: The USWNT will be wearing their new blue kits for the first time tonight. They're pretty slick!

25 mins to kick: Some breaking news before kick off tonight, as U.S. Soccer announce the final friendly before heading off to the 2023 Women's World Cup. The USWNT will take on Wales in San Jose, at the home of the Earthquakes, PayPal Park.

Wales are ranked 31st in the world by FIFA, and they are not participating in the 2023 World Cup. They reached the playoff tournament bracket in UEFA qualifying, but after beating Bosnia & Herzegovina, they fell 2-1 to Switzerland on a heartbreaking goal in extra-time. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations on the women's side.

42 mins to kick: Alyssa Thompson, at 18 years and 155 days old, becomes the youngest USWNT starter in any game since...Mallory Swanson (then Pugh) against Sweden in the 2016 Olympics. At the time, Swanson was 18 years and 105 days old, and she grew into one of the most fearsome attacking players in the world before her injury on Saturday. It's fitting that Thompson now follows in her footsteps after replacing Swanson on the roster.

Oh, and while we're at it, the distance between 18-year-old Thompson and 37-year-old Becky Sauerbrunn is the largest between starters in USWNT history. Thompson was three years old when Sauerbrunn made her international debut!

60 mins to kick: The USWNT lineup is out, and as expected, Becky Sauerbrunn earns her 216th international cap in her hometown of St. Louis. Casey Murphy is in at goal as expected as Vlatko Andonovski continues to make a point of giving the backup goalkeeper playing time, and 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson starts after replacing Mallory Swanson on the roster.

78 mins to kick: Tonight's venue is the brand new CityPark in St. Louis, Missouri. It's the home of the new MLS club St. Louis City SC, who are enjoying a great start to their inaugural season. The stadium has a 22,500 person capacity and, interestingly, every single one of those seats is within 120 feet of the pitch, which is the closest of any MLS venue.

92 mins to kick: The Irish media has praised the national team for scheduling this pair of friendlies against the No. 1 ranked USA ahead of their first-ever Women's World Cup appearance.

Interestingly, one of the keys mentioned by RTE Soccer's analyst Paul Corry in scheduling these two friendlies is the travel from Austin to St. Louis. While it's not quite the distance between Sydney and Perth, which they will have to undertake as part of the group stage, it's still a good test of the team's ability to play two different games in a short span with travel in between.

105 mins to kick: Wrapping up the Mallory Swanson injury news for today, the 24-year-old confirmed on Instagram that she underwent successful surgery on her knee.

"This is hard," Swanson wrote. "I’m in shock and don’t have much to say other than, thank you to everyone for the messages. I feel the love and prayers, and holding them close to my heart."

She did not give any updates as to the extent of her injury or confirm whether she'll miss the 2023 Women's World Cup. It certainly felt like that was the context of the message, and it's still the expected outcome, but fans will hold out a glimmer of hope until that is ultimately confirmed for sure.

120 mins to kick: The injury to Mallory Swanson was a crushing blow to the USWNT on the field, of course, considering her goal-scoring form. Yet it was equally devastating in the locker room and among the fanbase, who delivered an outpouring of support for the 24-year-old.

Former international Charlie Davies on CBS Sports Golazo's Morning Footy show, made it clear how much the fanbase feels about the loss, and her recovery process. Davies has a unique perspective about about such things, after a lengthy comeback from injuries sustained in a car crash.

USA vs Ireland lineups, team news

U.S. forward Mallory Swanson suffered a serious knee injury in the first match on Saturday and was carted off just before halftime. She was diagnosed with a torn patella tendon and will likely miss the Women's World Cup, a devastating blow to the U.S. attacking unit. NWSL teen sensation Alyssa Thompson was called up to replace Swanson on the roster, and starts on the wing in an exciting audition for a surprise place on the World Cup roster.

Midfielder Julie Ertz, who is still without a club, came off the bench in the first game but is not considered fit enough for a start here. Tierna Davidson, who returned to camp for the first time since tearing her ACL last spring, Casey Krueger, and Kelley O'Hara did not make the matchday squad on Saturday, and it's O'Hara who slides into a full-back role in this match.

Rose Lavelle is a scratch for this game after taking a slight knock in the first match, expected after manager Vlatko Andonovski confirmed it in his pre-match press conference. Among the notable names not on the U.S. roster are Megan Rapinoe (leg), Catarina Macario (ACL), and Christen Press (ACL).

USA confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Murphy (GK) — O'Hara, Cook, Sauerbrunn, Huerta — Sanchez, Sullivan, Horan — Thompson, Morgan, Smith.

USA subs (12): Naeher (GK), L. Williams, Davidson, Girma, Sonnett, Dunn, Fox, Ertz, Krueger, K. Mewis, Rodman, Hatch.

U.S. born Sinead Farrelly, a Gotham FC midfielder who was one of the whistleblowers and victims of the abuse scandal that rocked U.S. women's soccer in 2021 and led to several investigations and changes, was a late addition to the Irish roster and she started in the first match. Farrelly is one of four U.S.-born players on the squad, while 11 members played college soccer in the USA.

Veteran Ireland winger Aine O'Gorman was a substitute in the first game but should start here. Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse and forward Alannah McEvoy were not on the gameday roster on Saturday, and both will likely remain on the outside of this expanded 28-player Ireland roster.

On Saturday, Kyra Carusa started up front in the attack and she does so again here, leaving Amber Barrett on the bench as Ireland look to find an answer amongst their extremely thin on striker options.

Rep. of Ireland confirmed starting lineup (5-4-1): Brosnan (GK) — Payne, Connolly, Lu. Quinn, Caldwell, McCabe — Lo. Quinn, O'Sullivan, Littlejohn, Sheva — Carusa.

Rep. of Ireland subs (15): Moloney (GK), Walsh (GK), Whitehouse (GK), Scott, Stapleton, O'Riordan, Barrett, McLaughlin, O'Gorman, Finn, O'Hanlon, Nolan, Larkin, Grant, McEvoy.

MORE: Full recap & highlights from USWNT 2-0 win over Ireland in Saturday's friendly

How to watch USWNT vs Ireland

  • Date: Tuesday, Apr. 11
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV: Universo (Spanish)
  • Streaming: Fubo, HBO Max, Peacock

While the first friendly between the USWNT and Ireland was available to watch on TNT (English) and Universo (Spanish), this match will only be televised on Universo. That broadcast will also be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

The English-language stream of the match will be carried exclusively by HBO Max, with the Spanish-language stream on Peacock.

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.