Cover Photo: Madeline Oliver, Area Sports Network
October 30, 2024 (LOUISVILLE, KY) - The USWNT sweep their October camp friendlies, as they defeat Argentina in front of a sold-out crowd in Louisville... as Naomi Girma had a career night.
FINAL SCORE: USWNT 3, Argentina 0.
SCORING SUMMARY:
37' Naomi Girma - USA
44' Own Goal - USA
49' Naomi Girma - USA
Lynn Family Stadium
Louisville, KY, USA
October 30, 2024, 7:00pm ET
Lineups: USWNT (4-3-3): 21 Haught, 25 Malonson (20 Krueger, 70'), 4 Girma, 22 Gaetino (12 Sams, 70'), 8 Mace (23 Fox, 61'); 10 Horan (9 Swanson, 61'), 16 Lavelle (C) (3 Albert, 47'), 19 Hershfelt; 2 Sanchez, 15 Shaw, 26 Sears
Argentina (3-4-3): 1 S. Pereyra; 2 Sachs, 13 Braun, 6 Cometti (C); 14 Roggerone, 3 Martin (8 Gimenez, 87'), 15 M. Pereyra (20 Singarella, 87'), 16 Dominguez (18 Troncoso, 73'); 5 Preinnger (4 Nigito, 87'), 9 Nunez (11 Rodriguez, 63'), 10 Ippolito (17 Szymanowski, 63').
The USWNT honored Cincinnati native Rose Lavelle for reaching 100 caps earlier in 2024 on Wednesday. Lavelle captained the USWNT for the third time in her career, with the team honoring her milestone with a pre-match ceremony. In attendace was her family, and of course, the beloved Wilma, sporting some fun blue headphones to help with the loud fireworks ceremony.
Lavelle left the match in the 47th minute to a loud ovation from the Louisville crowd. Emma Hayes had high praise for the Cincinnati native when asked about her relationship with Lavelle after Wednesday's match.
Three USWNT players - Mandy Haught (Utah Royals), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), and Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC) - all made their USWNT debuts in Louisville. Malonson assisted Girma in the third USWNT goal.
Naomi Girma's goal in the 37th minute was her first international goal. Her second... accorinding to teammate Rose Lavelle and manager Emma Hayes, would have been the USWNT's second goal, an own goal by Argentina. "It was headed towards the bottom corner" Lavelle remarked after the match "They should give her the goal."
The San Diego Wave defender had herself a career night on Halloween eve (Hallow-eve? Hallowe-ve? Halloweeneve?), with her scoring two (or three, if you ask Rose) goals... after not scoring a single goal in her over 40 career caps for the USWNT.
A career night for Girma in Louisville:
90 Minutes Played
2 Goals
120 Touches
106/109 (97%) Accurate Passes
5(5) Long Balls (Accuracy)
3(3) Ground Duels (Won)
0 Fouls Committed
SofaScore Match Rating: 10.
"Excited to get a goal" Girma said after the match. "I was just really surprised and really excited - suprised, excited, happy. I feel like scoring your first goal is always so fun, and I'm always there to celebrate with my teammates when they score, I'm usually sprinting up the field, so it was fun to score."
