ST. LOUIS (AP) – Ally Sentnor and Lynn Biyendolo each netted two goals, leading the U.S. to a 4-0 victory over Jamaica on Tuesday night.
Sentnor found the net in the 19th minute and celebrated by forming a heart with her hands. She also scored in the 29th minute off a deflection.
The 21-year-old U.S. Football Young Player of the Year, with four international goals to her name, commended her teammates.
“They make it easy to move the ball,” Sentnor said. “I’m still working to improve for them.”
Biyendolo scored just three minutes after she entered the game as a substitute in the 60th minute. She added her second at the 88-minute mark from an assist by Avery Patterson. Biyendolo now has 24 career goals.
“We feel like we have a lot more to accomplish compared to 12 months ago, and that’s how we gauge our progress,” coach Emma Hayes stated. “Ally Sentnor is an incredible finisher, and Lynn Biyendolo capped it off by joining the game.”
Phallon Tullis-Joyce secured her second consecutive clean sheet for the U.S. as she looks to succeed long-time goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who retired last year. This was her third clean sheet in a row.
While Tullis-Joyce didn’t face any shots on goal, building rapport with her teammates was vital, Hayes noted.
“When you’re in goal for this team, you need to be patient and attentive. I’ve seen progress in Phallon’s performance, and I’m pleased that she had a relatively quiet night.”
Jamaica, which has never defeated the U.S., fielded two sets of sisters: Alison and Chantel Swaby, and Carissa and Amelia Van Zanten.
Previously, the U.S. had a 3-0 win against China on Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota. The national team was originally scheduled to face China, but Chinese officials withdrew from the second match, allowing Jamaica to step in.
Before the match, the U.S. honored Sauerbrunn, who retired from soccer at the end of last year. With a 16-year international career stemming from St. Louis, she is a two-time Women’s World Cup winner and an Olympic gold medalist. Fans who received bobbleheads featuring her likeness gave her a standing ovation and chanted her name during the pre-match ceremony.
Sauerbrunn recently announced she is expecting her first child with partner Zola Short, as she takes on a new role as a TV commentator for the match.
The U.S. will next face Ireland in two matches, the first in Commerce City, Colorado, on June 26, followed by a game in Cincinnati on June 29. They will then play Canada in Washington, D.C., on July 6.
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Source: apnews.com