SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — In an impressive display, Croix Bethune, Jameese Joseph, and Emily Sams netted their first goals for the national team as the United States triumphed over Chile with a score of 5-0 on Tuesday evening.
Emma Sears and Trinity Rodman also contributed to the scoreline, with the U.S. defense managing to keep a clean sheet for the fifth consecutive match.
In a strategic move, Coach Emma Hayes opted for an entirely different starting XI from the one that secured a 6-0 victory against Paraguay on Saturday. The average number of national team appearances among the players was just 5.2, marking the least experienced starting lineup since 2001.
Bethune, who plays for the Washington Spirit, kicked off the scoring in the 18th minute. Chile’s goalkeeper, Ryann Torrero, attempted to block the shot as Bethune charged in, but the ball found its way into the net.
Joseph, playing for the Chicago Stars, made the most of her first starting opportunity, scoring in the 26th minute.
Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
Sams, who captained the match, extended the lead to 3-0 in the 33rd minute, converting a cross from Sears.
The United States quickly added to their tally just 28 seconds into the second half, when Sears found the net with a precise shot into the upper corner. Rodman, scoring for the second straight match, secured the fifth goal in the 68th minute, a mere five minutes after entering the game.
Following her goal, Rodman enthusiastically danced towards the bench, playfully encouraging Coach Hayes to join in, which she did with a chuckle, prompting the crowd to cheer.
Midfielder Riley Jackson and defender Ayo Oke made their international debuts, while several players—forward Reilyn Turner, Maddie Dahlien, and midfielder Sally Menti—made their U.S. debuts against Paraguay.
Notably, the roster excluded U.S. players based in Europe, who are currently engaged in their respective league seasons, as well as players from Gotham FC, who are competing in London for the semifinals of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
This match against Chile wrapped up the U.S. team’s January training camp, with Hayes aiming to finalize her player roster ahead of the upcoming SheBelieves Cup in March and the Women’s World Cup qualifiers later in the year.
The last encounter between the United States and Chile resulted in a 3-0 victory for the U.S. at the 2019 World Cup. Chile currently holds the 47th spot in the world rankings and has participated in just one World Cup to date.
The U.S. team had previously trained at UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium before the 1991 World Cup, which included scrimmages against the Gauchos and a West Coast all-star team. That squad, featuring legends like Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers, went on to win the World Cup.