The United States women’s national team defeated Australia, 2-1 on Sunday in the SheBelieves Cup behind goals from Lynn Biyendolo (nee Williams) and Michelle Cooper.
U.S. head coach Emma Hayes changed all 11 players from the squad that defeated Colombia three days earlier, another sign of Hayes’ quest to develop more players. It was the first time since 2001 that the entire U.S. lineup changed from one game to the next, and only the sixth time in program history.
The results were mixed – as should be expected. These are the major talking points from a U.S. perspective.
Shaw shows again that she is a 10
Jaedyn Shaw played the full 90 in her preferred position as the No. 10. She controlled the pocket spaces on the ball, turning and playing Lynn Biyendolo in behind Australia’s stretched, high defensive line on several occasions. Shaw also put in the work to overlap Emma Sears on the United States’ first goal and was rewarded with an assist to Biyendolo just 45 seconds into the match.
