Goals midway through each half from Sydney Leroux and Courtney Verloo eventually settled the match, but New Zealand coach Tony Readings said his staff were encouraged by much of what they saw.
“We’re not happy with the result at all because I believe we are good enough team to get something out this game but the upside is that I know there is a lot more to come from our team and we still managed to defend pretty well for most of the game and create chances against a very good side,” Readings said.
New Zealand are using the matches as preparation for July’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in Germany where the Junior Football Ferns have drawn a imposing group that includes Brazil, Korea DPR and Sweden.
New Zealand looked most threatening from set pieces but couldn’t quite scramble the ball across the line when their best chances fell, while Rosie White forced a top class save from the American keeper when through one-on-one.
“In both halves we started slow but finished strong and on another day we could’ve got a few in.”
The second match is on Sunday morning (NZ time).
U-20 Women’s International
New Zealand: 0
USA: 2 (Sydney Leroux, Courtney Verloo)
New Zealand: Vic ESSON (GK), Catlin CAMPBELL (Liz MILNE 58), Briony FISHER, Bridgette ARMSTRONG, Anna GREEN (Captain), Nadia PEARL, Annalie LONGO, Hannah WALL, Sarah MCLAUGHLIN (Claudia CRASBORN 46), Rosie WHITE, Rene LEOTA (Hannah WILKINSON 74)
Substitutes not used: Erin NAYLER (RGK), Chelsey WOOD, Emily COOPER, Katie ROOD,
Match Two
New Zealand v USA
Los Angeles
May 16, 7am (NZT)
Story courtesy NZF Media
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