Down 1-0 at the half, the USWNT stormed back against Iceland on Sunday, emerging with their second 3-1 victory over the Nordic island's national team in three days. Despite trailing for the first time in her tenure, the US remains unbeaten under manager Emma Hayes.
The USWNT, which has never lost to Iceland, extended their all-time undefeated streak against the world No. 13 team to 17 matches with Sunday's victory.
USWNT bench leads attack
Iceland opened scoring with a 31st-minute Olimpico off forward Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir's corner kick, before a trio of second-half subs clinched the USWNT's come-from-behind win.
In the 72nd-minute, forward Lynn Williams slotted in the equalizer, with captain Lindsey Horan netting a goal of her own four minutes later and debutante Emma Sears sealing the deal in stoppage time.
Williams described the world No. 1 team's winning mentality after the match, saying, "The US mentality is we’re going to bring it, we’re going to claw, we’re going to fight, we’re going to come back. So yes we were down, but I believe in us, we all believe in ourselves, and that’s what it takes to win."
Fresh faces and a dream debut
Sunday's match featured heavy roster rotation, with US boss Hayes tapping mostly fresh faces at kickoff: A full eight players in the team's starting XI had less than 30 caps.
The US's rare uncapped Olympic gold medalist, Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams, took the pitch for the first time on Sunday. The 2024 NWSL Shield-winner had the additional honor of becoming the sixth USWNT player in five years to start in her first cap.
Sears, on the other hand, entered off the bench in the 55th minute to what would become a dream debut. In her first national team call-up at any level, the Racing Louisville striker became the 23rd USWNT player to score in her first cap and just the fourth to ever combine a debut goal with a first-cap assist.
When asked about her stoppage-time goal, Sears said, "It’s honestly hard to find the words right now. This feels super surreal to not only be surrounded by such amazing people but also players that I’ve looked up to for so many years."
How to watch USWNT vs. Argentina international friendly
The USWNT will finish out their October international friendly campaign with Wednesday's match against Argentina at 7 PM ET. Live coverage will air on TNT.