Last night, for the first time in nearly a decade, a American national team came to play in the Queen City. On an unusually warm September evening, the #1 ranked women's team in the world hosted the Ferns of New Zealand in a fall friendly at Nippert Stadium.
The U.S. women cruised to a 5-0 win thanks to goals from Lindsey Horan, Mallory Pugh, Lynn Williams and superstar Alex Morgan, who had two after coming on as second half substitute. Breakout star Rose Lavelle, who has recently returned from injury, also got the start in her hometown in front of another electric Cincinnati crowd of 30,596 -- the largest ever US Women's National Team attendance in the state of Ohio, and the 7th largest for a standalone USWNT friendly.
Watch the highlights and hear about the experience of playing at Nippert Stadium from some of the stars in action last night.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
ROSE LAVELLE
The Cincincinnati-native offered her thoughts on making her return from injury and doing so in her hometown.
Video courtesy of U.S. Soccer/Wazee Digital
Rose also had rave reviews for the crowd and Cincinnati's soccer movement.
Video courtesy of U.S. Soccer/Wazee Digital
HEAD COACH JILL ELLIS
World Cup winning coach Jill Ellis was also impressed by the atmosphere and speculated what might be behind it.
Video courtesy of U.S. Soccer/Wazee Digital
JULIE ERTZ
Though she earned most of her now 53 national team caps playing in defense, Ertz spent last night playing as defensive midfielder. She too offered high praise for the crowd that turned up in Cincinnati.
Video courtesy of U.S. Soccer/Wazee Digital
