The United States women’s national team played to a scoreless draw against the Czech Republic in the SheBelieves Cup opener Thursday night, extending its undefeated home streak to 63 games.
Outshooting the Czech Republic 10-1 in the first half, the USWNT created several strong chances but was unable to convert in the final third. Rose Lavelle and Catarina Macario anchored the USWNT’s attack, with the midfielder and forward connecting on multiple occasions to break down the Czech Republic’s backline.
😼 ➕ 🌹, knocking at the door.#SheBelievesCup x @Visa pic.twitter.com/SAaPEEnsH6
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 18, 2022
U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski made a series of historic substitutions in the second half, first sending in Trinity Rodman for Mallory Pugh in the 61st minute. The 19-year-old Rodman, making her USWNT debut, became the first teenager to record a cap for the national team since Tierna Davidson in 2018.
go get 'em, kid @trinity_rodman 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/X3c7LzLXBl
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) February 18, 2022
In the 72nd minute, Becky Sauerbrunn subbed into the game for Davidson and recorded her 200th cap with the national team. The defender is just the 12th player to reach that milestone, and the first since Hope Solo in 2016.
The USWNT finished the night with eight shots on goal to the Czech Republic’s one.
The team will face New Zealand on Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park in the second game of the SheBelieves Cup. The game broadcast begins at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.