Football Ferns well-beaten by United States
- Dave Worsley
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
The Football Ferns have ended their North American tour with a 6-0 defeat against world No 2 and Olympic champions, the United States in Kansas City, Missouri.
Head coach Michael Mayne made six changes to the side that faced Mexico three days earlier,.
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Liz Anton, Mackenzie Barry, Manaia Elliott, Annalie Longo, Milly Clegg, and Katie Kitching came in for Claudia Bunge, Maya Hahn, Deven Jackson, Grace Neville, Kelli Brown, and Gabi Rennie.
Priot to kickoff, 163 cap New Zealand rep Ali Riley was celebrated following her announcing her retirement at the end of the NWSL season.
The home side took the lead in the eighth minute when Michelle Cooper played a ball across the face of goal into the path of the onrushing Emma Sears for a close-range finish.
Just after the half-hour mark, it was two. A cross from the left picked out Cat Macario for a precise finish low into the bottom corner of Vic Esson’s net.
The goal of the game, the USA’s third, came just before half-time when Rose Lavelle was found on the edge of the box and expertly fired the ball just inside the post to give the hosts a three-goal lead at the break.
The start of the second half saw the New Zealand enjoy their best period of the game as they looked to fight their way back into the contest.
Wellington Phoenix’s Lara Wall, on for her Ferns debut, was first to a rebounded effort in the box, but her shot was deflected wide for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, Kitching’s delivery found the head of Kate Taylor for a great chance to make it 1-3, but USA keeper Claudia Dickey got a hand to it.
The fourth USA goal came not long after, when Emma Sears was again picked out by Michelle Cooper with a cutback from the byline for a close-range finish in the 55th minute.
Ten minutes later it was five, as Macario grabbed her second with another well-taken effort from close range.
Sears completed her hat-trick and made it six with seven minutes remaining, reacting first to a rebound off the post to fire into an empty net.
It was a tough night in Kansas City for the Ford Football Ferns, but one they will take plenty of lessons from as they continue to build towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
Full-Time:
Ford Football Ferns 0
USA 6 (8', 55', 84' Emma Sears, 34' 66' Cat Macario, 44' Rose Lavelle)
