USWNT vs. New Zealand: Team USA scores 5 goals in friendly

USA blanks New Zealand 5-0 in final friendly to close out January camps

The United States women's national team completed a sweep in their two-game series against New Zealand on Friday, closing out the January camp window with a 5-0 win against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.

Ashley Hatch, Mallory Swanson, Rose Lavelle, and Taylor Kornieck scored goals in the victory. 

Friday's match was a better 90-minute performance by the U.S. after the slow opening half against New Zealand on Tuesday. The coaching staff continued to take a closer look at the middle third, making some slight adjustments as Lindsey Horan was unavailable. Horan returned to France with her club team Olympique Lyon, and Lavelle got the start in the midfield with Andi Sullivan and Ashley Sanchez.

The team ended their first half with two goals and extended the scoreline over the second half. The scoring opportunities are reflective of the creativity, athleticism and technical ability of the team. The clean sheet by the defense means the game-winner goes to Hatch, who scored the opening goal after an effective build along the left side between Crystal Dunn, Sanchez, and Trinity Rodman who delivered the assist on Hatch's goal. 

Let's take a look at the top performers in the match:

Top performers

Rose Lavelle: With the late scratch to Morgan, the captain's armband passed to Lavelle. She led the way on the pitch, often playing lower in an attacking-mid role as a No. 8 at times. She scored two goals and recorded one assist. 

Mallory Swanson: Playing out on the right side, Swanson provided a constant threat as both a linking player and making endless alternate runs into the box when off the ball. She scored a goal in the second half. 

Trinity Rodman: The winger earned the start after a great second-half appearance off the bench on Tuesday. She provided a level of selfless play for the team and constantly looked for passes into the box. 

What's next

The team is now on a two-game win streak to begin its 2023 campaign. The group will have another test in February in the SheBelieves Cup. The USWNT will host Brazil, Canada, and Japan on home soil. 

[Jan 20, 2023 at 8:56 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Starting lineup for USWNT

The Starting XI has dropped. Looks like a swap in net and Casey Murphy will handle the goalkeeping tonight. Ashley Sanchez and Trinity Rodman earn the start after their massive impact off the bench in the second half on Tuesday.  Expect a midfield with Sullivan, Sanchez, and Lavelle with Swanson, Morgan, and Rodman on the top line. 

Starting XI: 18-Casey Murphy; 2-Ashley Sanchez, 3-Alana Cook, 8-Sofia Huerta, 9-Mallory Swanson, 12-Naomi Girma, 13-Alex Morgan (Capt.), 16-Rose Lavelle, 17-Andi Sullivan, 19-Crystal Dunn, 25-Trinity Rodman

Available Subs: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 5-Hailie Mace, 6-Lynn Williams, 7-Ashley Hatch, 11-Midge Purce, 14-Emily Sonnett, 15-Sam Coffey, 20-Taylor Kornieck, 21-Adrianna Franch, 22-Kristie Mewis, 23-Emily Fox

[Jan 20, 2023 at 10:20 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Some good touches for both teams

12' The Football Ferns getting touches in the final third, but the USWNT have had more of the dangerous looks. Lavelle notices Nayler off her line and tries a shot from distance to test the keeper and it doesn't miss the far post by too much.   

[Jan 20, 2023 at 10:15 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

New Zealand wins the first corner

8'' Sanchez is back on the pitch after the Ferns try to take advantage of the numbers. The press high and earn a corner off Dunn. The corner is defended away and the USWNT are already quick on the counter the opposite way. 

[Jan 20, 2023 at 10:12 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Sanchez down after contact

5' Sanchez takes some contact on an incoming challenge on the ball and stays down a bit reaching for the tape around her right knee. She's off the pitch still getting treatment now. 

[Jan 20, 2023 at 10:07 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

We're off!

1' USWNT on the kickoff and New Zealand intercepts quickly but the U.S. win it right back. Are we in for a similar start like we saw on Tuesday?

[Jan 20, 2023 at 9:52 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Alex Morgan is out with an injury

Morgan was experiencing "lower leg tightness" and has been replaced by Ashley Hatch in the lineup. Hatch was previously unavailable for Tuesday's match with a knock. It's ultimately a like-for-like swap as Morgan typically features in the No. 9 role and Hatch plays a similar role with the Washington Spirit. Her inclusion in the lineup means that three attacking players from the Washington Spirit are in the lineup tonight with Hatch, Rodman, and Sanchez. The trio is often tasked with producing offense for the Spirit. Hatch closed out her 2022 season with nine goals. 

[Jan 20, 2023 at 9:03 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

NWSL preseason is right around the corner

January camps will conclude with tonight's game and many players will get ready to report to their NWSL markets as early as January 23. Get to know more about No. 1 draft pick Alyssa Thompson on CBS Sports.

[Jan 20, 2023 at 8:52 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Preview the USWNT with Attacking Third!

Make sure you're caught up on all things USWNT with Attacking Third a CBS Sports women+ soccer podcast.

[Jan 20, 2023 at 8:52 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Storylines: USWNT

The team kicked off their new year with a big 4-0 win against New Zealand with all goals scored in the second half. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski initially named a 24-player roster for the camps and utilized 16 players in the opening game. Forward Ashley Hatch was unavailable for Tuesday's match with a slight knock. Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman put up strong individual performances with Swanson scoring two goals and Rodman providing two assists. 

Lynn Williams made her return to the roster after a 10-month absence due to surgery on her hamstring but scored in her first game back with the team. The second match against New Zealand could feature more time for players making their return back to the player pool, including defender Emily Sonnett, who did not make an appearance in Tuesday's game. The team will want to build off their electric second-half performance after a disjointed, slow start in the opening 45 minutes. 

[Jan 20, 2023 at 8:52 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Viewing information

Here's how you can watch tonight's game, check out those odds for New Zealand 👀

• Date: Friday, January 20 
• Time: 10 p.m. ET
• Location: Edan Park -- Auckland, New Zealand
• Live stream: HBO MAX
• Odds: New Zealand +6000; Draw +950; USWNT -5000

[Jan 20, 2023 at 8:31 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Welcome to USWNT vs. New Zealand

Hello and welcome to USA vs. New Zealand! I'm Sandra Herrera and I'll be with you provding live updates and analysis of tonight's match.