AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Rose Lavelle scored twice as the United States Women’s National Team beat New Zealand 5-0 in a display on Saturday.
Ashley Hatch, Mallory Swanson and Taylor Kornieck also scored for USA at Auckland’s Eden Park stadium. It was the second of two matches between the sides, who are preparing for this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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Swanson scored twice in Wednesday’s 4-0 US win at Wellington. Former Mallory Pugh took on the last name of Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson when the couple tied the knot in December.
Matches against New Zealand capped off Team USA’s January training camp. The move was strategic for the Americans, who will play all of their World Cup group stage matches in New Zealand.
The announced crowd of 12,721 was the largest ever for a New Zealand women’s game. Alex Morgan was a late scratch due to a lower leg tightness. She was replaced in the starting line-up by Hatch, who scored their fifth international goal in the 22nd minute. Trinity Rodman got the assist.
Lavelle, who wore the captain’s armband, scored in the 39th minute. Swanson added a rebound goal in the 53rd minute before Lavelle’s second goal in the 74th. Kornieck scored the final goal on a header.
The teams have met 21 times in total, with the United States topping the series 19-1-1.
The United States were without 2022 Player of the Year Sophia Smith with a foot injury. Megan Rapinoe also did not travel with the team due to an ankle injury.
Lindsey Horan, who played the opener against New Zealand, has returned to France for a game with her club team, Lyon.
The Americans had an unusually shaky end to 2022, losing in three of four games. The team returns home for the SheBelieves Cup next month. Canada, Brazil and Japan also participate in the tournament.
The World Cup will begin on July 20. The title match will be played on August 20 in Sydney. The United States have won back-to-back World Cups and will be vying for a record third consecutive title.
