For Taylor Kornieck, her first cap with the USWNT also meant her first international goal as she helped the team to a 3-0 win over Colombia on Saturday.
By nailing the end of a Megan Rapinoe free kick, she became the first USWNT player to score in their debut in six years and the 21st to do so. The last player to score in their debut was Kealia Ohai Watt.
“I mean, so sick. She comes in, scores a goal, does what she needs to do. First cap dream,” said teammate Alex Morgan. “She just came in and bossed.”
“She just came in and bossed.” 💪
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 26, 2022
— @alexmorgan13 on @taylorkornieck’s 1st cap, 1st goal https://t.co/eUu3qrAjiI pic.twitter.com/s2OZJKFRfS
One of the tallest players in team history (she’s tied for the tallest in history at 6-foot-1), Kornieck said that earning her first cap “means everything to me,” and scoring was an added bonus.
“It’s been my dream since I was a little girl and scoring obviously wasn’t part of the plan but it’s a good perk,” Kornieck said.
A member of San Diego Wave FC, Kornieck has had a strong showing in the NWSL. She’s also impressed head coach Vlatko Andonovski as she’s continued to climb the ranks of the USWNT.
“Taylor has been very good in training, and we wanted to give her minutes to get her through some stress, nerves and anxiety of her first cap,” Andonovski said. “We believe that we will need her when we’re in the tournament (Concacaf W Championship).”
The USWNT takes the field Tuesday night for the second of its two friendlies against Colombia. Next week, the team starts its run in the Concacaf W Championship in Mexico, and that tournament will determine four automatic berths to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
An inside look behind-the-scenes of @taylorkornieck’s magical USWNT debut.✨
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) June 28, 2022
🎥 : @USWNT
pic.twitter.com/6KBQ0cHNnv