© Casey Gower-Imagn Images
Emma Hayes promised debuts. Her selections didn’t disappoint.
The U.S. women’s national team earned a 3-1 victory over Iceland on Sunday night in Nashville, in the second of two friendlies against the European nation. The U.S. met Iceland in Austin, Texas, last week, where they also took home a 3-1 win.
This time, a pair of players earned their first international appearance with the senior women’s national team. Emily Sams earned the start on defense, after a strong season with the Orlando Pride. Meanwhile, Racing Louisville rookie forward Emma Sears made her debut in the second half, scoring in stoppage time.
Iceland put the U.S. on their heels in the first half with a 31st minute goal from Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir, who features for Bayer Leverkusen. She is with the Frauen-Bundesliga club for the season, on a loan spell from Bayern Munich.
Lynn Williams and Lindsey Horan added goals within five minutes of each other in the second half, giving the U.S. the lead.
The match also featured the honoring of Kelley O’Hara, who announced her retirement from women’s soccer this year. O’Hara, the 36-year-old defender, spoke at halftime. She amassed 160 appearances for the national team, and was part of the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning sides. She also won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic games, and a bronze medal in Tokyo.
Also being honored was Mallory Swanson for her 100th appearance.
