The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team thrashed Sweden, 6-0, in their second game of the Four Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain on Saturday, March 2, as 5 different players got on the score sheet.
Former UCLA forward Zakiya Bywaters got on the scoresheet (ISI Photos/Thomas Eisenhuth)
The USA shot out of the block in the 1st minute to take the lead 1-0 with a goal from Santa Clara forward Morgan Marlborough. It wasn’t until the 19th minute that the U.S. got their second, through a goal from Marlborough’s college teammate, defender Julie Johnston. Marlborough made it 3 for the Americans in the 26th minute, and the NWSL first draft pick Zakiya Bywaters got on the board just before the half, to give her team a comfortable lead.
The second half was much more of a tepid affair and Sweden were able to gain some possesion, this led to the introduction of several U.S. players. It seemed to pay off instantly, and in the 72nd minute UCLA’s midfielder Samantha Mewis put the game out of reach by making it 5. Substitute Colleen Williams completed the rout to take the USA’s goal tally to 6.
The USA will play England next on March 4 in the decisive game of the tournament.
USA – Morgan Marlborough (Samantha Mewis) 2nd minute
USA – Julie Johnston (Vanessa DiBernardo) 20
USA – Morgan Marlborough (Julie Johnston) 24
USA – Zakiya Bywaters (Stephanie Ochs) 43
USA – Samantha Mewis (Stephanie Ochs) 71
USA – Colleen Williams (Havana Solaun) 80
Lineups:
USA: 18-Abby Smith; 3-Camille Levin (capt.), 8-Julie Johnston (2-Natasha Anasi, 65), 5-Toni Pressley, 4-Kassey Kallman, 13-Vanessa DiBernardo (14-Morgan Brian, 46), 15-Samantha Mewis, 16-Sarah Killion (19-Jenna Richmond, 46), 10-Morgan Marlborough (17-Tiffany McCarty, 46), 11-Zakiya Bywaters (7-Havana Solaun, 65), 12-Stephanie Ochs (9-Colleen Williams, 73)
Subs Not Used: 1-Jami Kranich
Head Coach: Randy Waldrum
SWE: 12-Emelie Almesjö; 13-Catrine Johansson (14-Sanna Svensson, 46), 2-Hanna Glas, 4-Mia Carlsson (capt.), 16-Elin Borg, 19-Malin Diaz Pettersson (17-Thèrese Boström, 83), 6-Petra Andersson (3-Lisa Klinga, 46), 8-Julia Lyckberg, 18-Kristin Karlsson (9-Jenny Hjohlman, 58), 15-Fridolina Rolfö (10-Jennifer Egelryd, 46), 20- Pauline Hammarlund (7-Hanna Terry, 76)
Subs Not Used: 1-Jessica H ö glander
Head Coach: Calle Barrling
Stats Summary: USA / SWE
Shots: 16 / 3
Shots on Goal: 13 / 3
Saves: 3 / 7
Corner Kicks: 8 / 2
Fouls: 4 / 8
Offside: 4 / 0
