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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
USA v Ireland: Carla Ward left with limited options for tough second friendly
Friendly: United States v Republic of Ireland Sunday, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 8pm Irish time (Live on RTÉ 2) Much as she might like to freshen up her team for the second of their friendlies against the United States, following their 4-0 defeat in the first, Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has limited enough options ahead of Sunday evening's meeting in Cincinnati. Both Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell have been ruled out of the game having missed the Denver defeat with injuries, and there are doubts too over a number of other players. Ruesha Littlejohn's long-standing Achilles problem saw her limited to one half on Friday, while Ward revealed that Ellen Molloy, Izzy Atkinson and debutante Erin Healy were able for no more than 15 minutes in the game. Erin McLaughlin, who was recently released by Portsmouth, has been called up, the 22-year-old having been capped three times before. And Philadelphia-born Dee Bradley, who plays her football with Durham in the English Championship, has been invited to train with the squad, the midfielder qualifying to play for Ireland through her Donegal-born father and Cork-born mother. READ MORE The quick turnaround after an energy-sapping contest for the Irish side – the heat, high altitude and quality of the opposition leaving them drained at the end – simply adds to Ward's woes. 'Sunday is going to be difficult,' she said to RTÉ, 'but we have to dig deep into that performance to see what we can change and tweak, and, being honest, see who we have fit and available.' She was insistent, though, that despite being outclassed by the Americans, her players will benefit from the experience. 'I said to the girls that we're going to learn more out of tonight than we will have in all our Nations League games. And that's what this is about. 'We've faced the best team in the world. They have unbelievable quality, they really have. They're all in season, fit. We know where we're at, we're out of season. We've done what we could have done with what we had available. I take my hat off to the group.' 'We asked them to leave everything out there and they did,' she said, referring to the conditions. 'There has to be some optimism given who we're playing against and all the contributing factors. They've done pretty well considering.' With Sunday's game kicking off at 3pm local time, it could be hotter still in Cincinnati, the temperatures forecast to surpass 30 degrees. United States head coach Emma Hayes during Friday's game against Ireland. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Asked by ESPN if she would 'take it easy' on Sunday against her old friend Ward, US head coach Emma Hayes replied with an emphatic 'no'. 'I won't change who I am, definitely not, not for anyone – even if I like you. The US women's team has such a high bar that it's up to me to keep pace with that and deliver teams that pursue excellence every time. So, we will absolutely be looking to do that again. There will be changes, though, I want to see the whole squad.' The Irish defence would, no doubt, like to see left-winger Alyssa Thompson rested after she gave them a torrid time on Friday, while Rose Lavelle was outstanding in midfield on her first appearance in six months after ankle surgery. Seeing as Cincinnati is her hometown, it's likely that Lavelle will appear again. It could be a long 90 minutes.
The Journal
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Journal
Ireland suffer 4-0 defeat against dominant USA in friendly in Colorado
USA 4 Republic of Ireland 0 IRELAND FELL TO a four-goal defeat against the USA in Denver last night in the opening game of their international friendly double-header. The world number-one ranked side proved too strong for Carla Ward's team. Avery Patterson's header put USA ahead in the 19th minute before Ireland suffered another setback in first-half injury time when Sam Coffey scored. The third USA goal arrived courtesy of Rose Lavelle in the 53rd minute and the US rounded off the scoring in the 63rd minute courtesy of Alyssa Thompson. Ireland are straight back into action on Sunday night when they face the USA in Cincinnati, (kick-off 8pm Irish time). The scale of the challenge is apparent after this opening game for a squad that had the likes of Katie McCabe and Aoife Mannion unavailable for selection beforehand, while injury ruled out Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell in the build-up to the game. Emma Hayes rested the European-based players in the US squad as she focused on a team of mostly domestic talent, with the exception of Chelsea's Naomi Girma who captained the team. Advertisement Ireland's Jessie Stapleton and Alyssa Thompson of USA. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Ireland Head Coach Carla Ward. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Chloe Mustaki made a first start for Ireland since April 2022, while it as a landmark night for Erin Healy as she made her senior international debut when brought on as a 74thn minute substitute. Ireland entered the game after the boost of a 1-0 over Slovenia earlier this month, a result that sets up their two-leg Nations League play-off against Belgium in late October, but they were on the backfoot early in this friendly with Patterson heading home at the backpost to get the US up and running. A left-foot strike by Coffey beyond the dive of goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, Ireland captain on the night. doubled the US advantage as the teams reached the interval. Lavelle notched the third after being set up by Emily Sonnett, before Thompson registered the fourth with a curling finish the touched the inside of the post before finding the net. Ireland's Jessie Stapleton, Caitlin Hayes and Saoirse Noonan dejected after the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO USA: Dickey; Patterson (G Thompson 59), Girma capt (Bugg 73), Sonnett, Reale; Hutton, Lavelle (Moultrie 59), Coffey; Cooper (Biyendolo 73), Sentnor (Ryan 86), A Thompson (Sears 86). Ireland: Brosnan (capt); Stapleton, Patten, Hayes, Mustaki (Atkinson 89); Littlejohn (Toland HT), Connolly; Murphy (Sheva 65), Carusa (Noonan 65), Quinn (Larkin HT), Barrett (Healy 74). Referee: Vimarest Diaz (Dominican Republic) Written by The 42 and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The 42
a day ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland suffer defeat against dominant USA in friendly in Denver
USA 4 Republic of Ireland 0 IRELAND FELL TO a four-goal defeat against the USA in Denver last night in the opening game of their international friendly double-header. The world number-one ranked side proved too strong for Carla Ward's team. Avery Patterson's header put USA ahead in the 19th minute before Ireland suffered another setback in first-half injury time when Sam Coffey scored. The third USA goal arrived courtesy of Rose Lavelle in the 53rd minute and the US rounded off the scoring in the 63rd minute courtesy of Alyssa Thompson. Ireland are straight back into action on Sunday night when they face the USA in Cincinnati, (kick-off 8pm Irish time). Advertisement The scale of the challenge is apparent after this opening game for a squad that had the likes of Katie McCabe and Aoife Mannion unavailable for selection beforehand, while injury ruled out Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell in the build-up to the game. Emma Hayes rested the European-based players in the US squad as she focused on a team of mostly domestic talent, with the exception of Chelsea's Naomi Girma who captained the team. Ireland's Jessie Stapleton and Alyssa Thompson of USA. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Ireland Head Coach Carla Ward. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Chloe Mustaki made a first start for Ireland since April 2022, while it as a landmark night for Erin Healy as she made her senior international debut when brought on as a 74thn minute substitute. Ireland entered the game after the boost of a 1-0 over Slovenia earlier this month, a result that sets up their two-leg Nations League play-off against Belgium in late October, but they were on the backfoot early in this friendly with Patterson heading home at the backpost to get the US up and running. A left-foot strike by Coffey beyond the dive of goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, Ireland captain on the night. doubled the US advantage as the teams reached the interval. Lavelle notched the third after being set up by Emily Sonnett, before Thompson registered the fourth with a curling finish the touched the inside of the post before finding the net. Ireland's Jessie Stapleton, Caitlin Hayes and Saoirse Noonan dejected after the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO USA: Dickey; Patterson (G Thompson 59), Girma capt (Bugg 73), Sonnett, Reale; Hutton, Lavelle (Moultrie 59), Coffey; Cooper (Biyendolo 73), Sentnor (Ryan 86), A Thompson (Sears 86). Ireland: Brosnan (capt); Stapleton, Patten, Hayes, Mustaki (Atkinson 89); Littlejohn (Toland HT), Connolly; Murphy (Sheva 65), Carusa (Noonan 65), Quinn (Larkin HT), Barrett (Healy 74). Referee: Vimarest Diaz (Dominican Republic)
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ireland outclassed by World No. 1 USA in Denver
IT was not unexpected but that did not make it any easier. Ireland boss Carla Ward has never beaten USA boss Emma Hayes, and the Girls in Green have never got a result against the USA. Advertisement So a 4-0 loss in Denver in the first of two games against the Olympic champions is no shock, nor a disaster. But that an Ireland team - without key players Katie McCabe, Denise O'Sulivan, Aoife Mannion and Megan Campbell - were thoroughly outclassed is a worry. These summer games were arranged primarily with a view torwards the Win that two legged tie against the Red Flames and Ireland go into League A for the World Cup qualifiers; something that makes qualifying that little bit easier. Advertisement Read More On Football But Belgium are, on paper, better than Ireland. So taking on the top class Americans was arranged to prepare; effectively like altitude training in thinner air that you will face in future. But against the USA, the Girls in Green learnt that it can be tough to breath when the best team in the world are running you ragged. The statistics said it all. The USA had 26 shots to Ireland's two, and it would have been greater than 4-0 were it not for stand-in captain Courtney Brosnan, winning her 50th cap. Advertisement Most read in Football Ireland were already hanging on before Avery Patterson opened the scoring with a header from a Rose Lavelle corner on 18 minutes. A second goal arrived in first half stoppage time when Sam Coffey skipped by two defenders before firing home. Christian Norgaard to Arsenal LATEST | Transfers Exposed And the second half was all-USA and Lavelle got a goal her performance deserved on 53 minutes before Alyssa Thompson added a fourth with a lovely curling effort after beating two Ireland defenders. Ireland: Brosnan; Stapleton, Patten, Hayes, Mustaki ( Atkinson 90); Connolly, Littlejohn (Toland ht); Murphy ( Noonan 65), Carusa ( Sheva 64), Quinn ( Larkin ht); Barrett ( Healy 75) Advertisement 1 Rose Lavelle of the United States is tackled by Kyra Carusa of Ireland
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Preview: Understrength Ireland eye Colorado upset against the USA
USA v Republic of Ireland, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado, 7pm local time), 2am Irish time, (Live on the RTÉ Player) It's a summer jaunt to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains for the Repulic of Ireland, who take on the world No 1-ranked USA in the first of two friendlies tonight. Carla Ward's squad have been training 1.1 miles above sea level since Sunday. The heat is tough; but that altitude is a real killer. Ward admitted that just strolling to get a coffee took a toll on her, so we can assume she'll fully utilise her bench throughout tonight's clash at the 18,000-capacity Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Given the players she's missing, Ward options look pretty thin. Katie McCabe, Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan didn't travel. On Wednesday, it was confirmed Denise O'Sullivan and Megan Campbell are both out after picking up knocks. Trying to further develop Ward's preferred expansive style against such a strong outfit, minus her best players, all while avoiding a morale-damaging hammering, is going to be tricky. There's a real air of familiarity around the 16th meeting of these sides. Ward worked with the USA under her good friend Emma Hayes during last year's Paris Games, and frequently turns to the ex-Chelsea manager for advice. Hayes has rested all of her European-based players for these friendlies with the exception of Naoimi Girma, who became the world's first million-dollar female footballer last January when she moved from San Diego Wave to Chelsea. Four Americans have been called up for the first time (Lilly Reale, Jordyn Bugg, Izzy Rodriguez and Sam Meza) with the squad averaging just over 18 caps. The average age of the panel is 24.5. That makes these clashes slightly less daunting, but make no mistake, the USA are laced with serious quality. And they're not all rookies either. World Cup winner and Olympic champion Rose Lavelle is included. The Gotham FC midfielder, who has 110 caps and 24 international goals under her belt, is back in the fold after recovering from ankle surgery. Seattle Reign's Lynn Biyendolo (80), Gotham defender Emily Sonnett (108), Sam Coffey (35) of the Portland Thorns and Girma (46) have a further 269 caps between them. They'll provide the spine, with the fresher faces hungry as hell to impress as they aim to force their way into Hayes' longer-term plans for the 2027 World Cup. The USA have beaten Ireland 15 times out of 15, most recently in April 2023 when they prevailed 1-0 in Missouri. The Girls in Green have conceded 51 times across those clashes and only scored once, so this was always going to be difficult, even with a full-strength team. Therefore Ward is prioritising performances over results. Chloe Mustaki has been in the last couple of squads but is still waiting to get some minutes under Ward. The Bristol City full-back will expect to get a shot here, as will Erin Healy, the San Diego-born Adelaide United attacker. She was in the fold for the Turkey and Slovenia games earlier this month but has yet to make her debut. Ward has promised she'll feature in some capacity. Ellen Molloy has been in fine form for Wexford, while Izzy Atkinson will hope to reward Ward's show of faith in her if she gets called upon. Atkinson is currently without a club after being released by Crystal Palace. It could be a special evening too for goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, in line to win her 50th Ireland cap. She might wear the armband in the absence of McCabe and O'Sullivan. Assistant coach Amber Whiteley has travelled and is still waiting to hear if she's got the Liverpool job on a permanent basis. Ward has further bolstered her backroom team by temporarily bringing in ex-Manchester United No 2 Charlotte Healy, who was named Bristol City boss on Tuesday. There's loads of links here that will make this a friendly in every sense of the word. O'Sullivan (NC Courage) and Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave) ply their trade in the NWSL; five of the squad were born in America (Brosnan, Chloe Mustaki, Marissa Sheva, Carusa and Healy); while 11 of them played college football in the States. There'll be plenty of high fives and warm embraces afterwards, but this is an important assignment for Ireland given it's Ward's last chance to really get a look at the wider squad before October's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Belgium. Ireland came away with two respectable defeats when Vera Pauw brought them here last time, but in truth they clung to the ropes and tried to frustrate their vaunted opponents for as long as possible. Ward needs more than that in Denver, and again on Sunday when they square up in Cincinnati. She's committed to implementing a possession-based style so there's no point in scrunching that blueprint up and tossing it aside just because the level of opposition is higher. Then again, considering the players she's missing, it might be wise to batten down the hatches, at least for the first hour. It could be a long 90 minutes for the visitors in the Mile High City if they ship an early goal. They'll need courage, resilience and the rub of the green to keep this competitive and head for Cincinnati in good spirits. Republic of Ireland squad Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached) Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Ellen Molloy (Wexford)
