USA-AUSTRALIA EXPRESS:
Feb. 23 in Glendale, Ariz.
USA 2 Australia 1. Goals: Biyendolo 1, Cooper 68; Heyman 80.
Att.: 23,503.

In a rare roofed environment, at State Farm stadium in Arizona, an experimental U.S. women’s national team made it two wins from two at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.

The 2-1 win over Australia also keeps intact Emma Hayes undefeated start to life as head coach (15-0-2). Hayes made 11 changes to the USA team that beat Colombia 2-0 on Thursday night. 

It was quite the start for the hosts, who within mere moments ripped their way through the visitors’ entire lineup. Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams) finished off the team move close range for her 22nd USA goal after just 40 seconds of play.

However, the one-way traffic subsided and the once subdued Aussies grew into the match. On the hour, Hayes turned to her bench to help turn momentum back into the USA’s favor. With substitute Michelle Cooper answering that call emphatically by scoring her first-ever USWNT goal on her second-ever appearance. Michelle Heyman would add a late consolation for Australia.

Despite dominating possession (67%-33%) and total shots (14-7), this was not the smoothest performance for the USA. Large swatches of the match lacked penetration or ingenuity. Perhaps the young and unproven starting XI were just finding their feet against a physical opponent. Of course, being able to experiment and still defeat top nations is admirable. 

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USA Player Ratings

(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)

GOALKEEPER

Just a second-ever appearance for Mandy McGlynn, so maybe some of the nerves are to be expected. McGlynn was eager to come off her line and attack crosses, which at times paid off and at other times left her exposed.

In particular, there was a lack of assurance on set pieces. Zero saves on the night, with Australia scoring their only shot on goal. There was little McGlynn could have done to prevent the point-blank header from Michelle Heyman. 

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

4
Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals) 2/0 (26)

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DEFENDERS

Like the goalkeeper, it felt like there were some nerves across the backline even if there were the likes of veterans and World Cup winners Crystal Dunn and Tierna Davidson to lean on. A lot of passes in the middle of the defense were uninspired. Australia was able to gain territory and block passing lanes without necessarily being able to create too many chances. 

Davidson was handed the captain’s armband in Lindsey Heaps’ absence but didn’t cover herself in much glory. A few early loose passes were snapped up well by the Australian press, and then she was at fault for Heyman’s goal when she completely lost her positioning. 

Emily Sams had an unflashy but solid outing. A few times you saw how calm she is under pressure when Australian forwards tried to rush in possession. She took care of the ball well, leading the team in pass completion with 92%. Although Sams was another who should’ve done better when closing down Heyman on the Australians’ goal.  

It was a quiet performance from Dunn on the left side of the back four. She wasn’t able to step into the midfield or wide attack as much as normal. The veteran didn’t look overwhelmed when Hayley Raso attacked down her wing, though. Subbed off after 62 minutes, and thus wasn’t at fault for the goal. 

In the end, the best defender on the day was Gisele Thompson. Australia’s goal came down the opposing wing, with Thompson keeping Caitlin Foord and the Aussie left side rather quiet for most of the match. 

For just 19 her physicality and tenacity shone. Collaborated well with her sister on the right of the attack and took more risks going forward, which helped support the midfield. Thompson had the joint most tackles (four) of any USA defender. 

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

5
Crystal Dunn (Paris St. Germain, FRA) 156/25 (32)

5
Emily Sams (Orlando Pride) 3/0 (25)

4
Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC) 66/3 (26)

6
Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC) 2/0 (19)