COMMERCE CITY — Midfielder Julie Ertz scored twice and a lot of little girls stayed up past their bedtimes Friday night as the U.S. women’s national team defeated New Zealand 3-1 in a friendly at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
With Mallory Pugh of Highlands Ranch unleashing her intimidating speed along the right wing and Golden’s Lindsey Horan heavily involved both in playmaking and attacking the goal from the No. 10 position, the U.S. dominated possession and accounted for most of the creativity in the match to the delight of 17,301 fans.
“It was incredible,” Pugh said. “I mean the environment was so surreal. I think the most fun part was we just played good soccer tonight. Seeing Julie kick it and just dominate was incredible. This is just super inspiring.”
Coach Jill Ellis is navigating the team through transition from the shock of an early ouster at the 2016 Rio Olympics with qualifying for the 2019 women’s World Cup only a year away. All 11 starters came from rosters in the National Women’s Soccer League. Four were regulars in the Rio Olympics, where the U.S. fell to Sweden on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals.
Horan notched her 10th career assist for Team USA on the game’s first goal in the 16th minute. New Zealand cleared a corner kick but defender Kelley O’Hara – who was playing in her 100th game for the national team — pumped the ball back into the penalty area where Horan nodded it on to the foot of Ertz in the 6-yard box for the score.
“I thought Lindsey put in a good shift, worked hard,” said Ellis. “She’s a good target to play into. She’s got very soft feet and she’s a very technical player. A good player with really good vision, and she did well.”
Pugh collaborated on the second USA goal, running down a ball on the right wing inches from the end line and crossing it to the left. Her sharp delivery found the head of Megan Rapinoe, who hit the left post, and Ertz put away the rebound for a 2-0 lead in the 24th minute. Alex Morgan added the third goal in the 79th.
“I thought Mal did exceptionally well out there, had some good combinations with Taylor (Smith, the right back),” Ellis said. “They are both new to their positions, Mal playing high and wide, and I thought they found each other exceptionally well.”
Ellis, who has been experimenting with different formations, put her team in a 4-3-3 with Pugh and Rapinoe on the wings and Alex Morgan at striker. Pugh and Rapinoe both were subbed out in the 60th minute.
“This new formation is more of the position I’m going to be playing, and so far I think it fits my personnel,” Pugh said. “It allows me to take on players, stay wider and create opportunities.”
Ellis told Horan she didn’t put her in the starting lineup because she was playing in her hometown, she started her because she deserved it. Horan didn’t score, but twice in the first half she dived for would-be point blank headers that barely eluded her lunge. She came out of the game in the 73rd minute, giving Pugh a hug when she got to the sideline.
“Oh, it was awesome,” Horan said. “Denver is always incredible. I grew up watching it here, watching the Rapids and national teams come in, there’s always an incredible atmosphere. When you’re on the field playing, it’s insane. I’m so grateful to be here, to be on the field and play with the national team. We came out with a win, so, very happy.”
