The United States women’s national team kicked off the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup on Tuesday with a 5-0 victory over Dominican Republic. The result was predictable, but the United States’ lineup was not.
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore, with the remote input of impending coach Emma Hayes, rolled out a youthful starting lineup that played in a fluid, aggressive shape. Eighteen-year-old Olivia Moultrie and defender Jenna Nighswonger each scored their first international goals in the comfortable victory.
These are the big talking points from the match.
A refreshing lineup
It was expected that the U.S. would roll out some creative lineups at the Gold Cup, but to get that different of a lineup in the opening match was a pleasant surprise.