AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Rose Lavelle scored a pair of goals as the United States women’s national team beat New Zealand 5-0 in an exhibition on Saturday.
Ashley Hatch, Mallory Swanson and Taylor Kornieck also scored for the United States at Eden Park in Auckland. It was the second of two matches between the teams, which are preparing for this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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Swanson scored twice in the United States’ 4-0 win in Wellington on Wednesday. The former Mallory Pugh took the last name of Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson when the couple married in December.
Matches against New Zealand capped off the US team’s January training camp. The trip 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 match. Alex Morgan was a late scratch due to lower leg strain. She was replaced in the starting line-up by Hatch, who scored her fifth international goal in the 22nd minute. Trinity Rodman got the assist.
Lavelle, who wore the captain’s armband, scored on 39′. Swanson added a rebound goal in the 53rd minute before Lavelle’s second goal in the 74th. Kornieck scored the final header.
The teams have met 21 times in total, with the US dominating the series 19-1-1.
The United States was without 2022 Player of the Year Sophia Smith due to a foot injury. Megan Rapinoe also did not travel with the team due to an ankle injury.
Lindsey Horan, who played in the first game against New Zealand, returned to France for a game with her club team, Lyon.
The Americans had an unusually shaky finish to 2022, losing 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 starts on July 20. The title game will be played on August 20 in Sydney. The United States has won back-to-back World Cups and will compete for a record third straight title.
