Smith assists Horan in USWNT’s 6-0 drumming of Korea Republic

The USWNT thumped Korea Republic 6-0 in Carli Lloyd’s last international match and the U.S.’s last home match of 2021. Sophia Smith started alongside Lloyd in the front three, making her second international start. Lindsey Horan started in midfield. Becky Sauerbrunn came on in the 71st minute.

The Portland Thorns duo combined for the first goal of the match in the ninth minute. Andi Sullivan curled a ball down the right flank and Smith ran onto it. She drove down the flank and cut it back to the top of the 18-yard box where Horan was arriving. Horan struck the ball first time and it took a kind deflection and looped into the back of the net.

Smith made an intelligent run in front of a Korean center back and Lloyd played the ball to her feet. She lined her shot up but scuffed it wide of the goal. Minutes later Catarina Macario cut by multiple defenders on the top of the area and passed to Smith. She was surrounded and turned and curled her shot over the goal.

The U.S. continued to pile on the pressure and looked much more energetic and dynamic than they did on Thursday in Kansas City. Lloyd slid Mallory Pugh in on goal and Pugh was denied 1 vs. 1. Pugh returned the favor in the 27th minute. Pugh passed to Lloyd, who hit a first time curler that was saved. Catarina Macario forced the keeper into a save in the 32nd minute. The U.S. continued to create danger and doubled their lead in the 45th minute.

Sullivan made a run to the near post and headed a corner kick toward goal. It took a wicked deflection and found its way into the net to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead heading into the half.

Korea Republic registered the first shot of the second half. Emily Sonnett was knocked off the ball and Ji So-Yun let loose from distance. Jane Campbell dove and made the save.

Pugh blew by her defender in the 54th minute and scooped a cross to the back post. Lloyd tried to nod her header down but the keeper dealt with it. Smith had another opportunity in the 62nd minute. Sonnett passed to her and Smith dummied the ball and let it run. She burst down the line and into the box before, firing into the wrong side of the goal.

Carli Lloyd left field the field to rapturous applause as she was replaced by Alex Morgan in the 66th minute.

Alex Morgan made a great run and substitute Megan Rapinoe played a pinpoint ball in stride to Morgan. The forward slotted the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the back of the net.

Smith was replaced in the 71st minute by Lynn Williams and Becky Sauerbrunn came on for Tierna Davidson.

Rapinoe made it 4-0 in the 85th minute. Horan played it wide to Sonnett, who curled it across the box. Rapinoe cut in front of her defender and struck the ball on the bounce into the roof of the net.

The U.S. quickly made it five. Williams scooped it to Morgan, who chipped it to Lavelle. Lavelle chested the ball into her path and side-footed the ball into the goal in the 89th minute.

Williams scored the sixth goal for the U.S. Tobin Heath nutmegged a defender and played a through ball into the path of Williams, who dispatched with ease.

This was the USWNT’s final home game of 2021. The U.S. may travel to Australia and play the Matildas in November.