Claire Hutton Scores 1st International Goal As US Beats Canada 3-0/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Claire Hutton scored her first international goal as the U.S. women’s team defeated Canada 3-0 in Washington. Sam Coffey and Yazmeen Ryan also scored, extending the Americans’ win streak to five games. Canada’s coach called her team’s performance “inexcusable.”
Quick Look
- Claire Hutton scores first international goal for US.
- US women beat Canada 3-0 in friendly match.
- Americans on five-game winning streak, outscoring foes 18-0.
- Rose Lavelle assists Hutton’s goal with perfect corner kick.
- Sam Coffey, Yazmeen Ryan also net goals.
- Claudia Dickey earns clean sheet with key saves.
- Canada coach blasts team’s effort as “not good enough.”
- Lavelle receives standing ovation from Washington crowd.
Hutton Nets First International Goal as US Women Cruise Past Canada 3-0
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — For Claire Hutton, just stepping onto the field for the U.S. women’s national team felt like a dream come true. But on Wednesday night, she made it even more memorable.
Left unmarked near the edge of the 6-yard box, the 19-year-old midfielder connected with a pinpoint corner from Rose Lavelle, heading home her first international goal to help propel the United States to a 3-0 victory over Canada in a friendly match. Sam Coffey and Yazmeen Ryan also found the net for the Americans, who notched their fifth consecutive win.
“Set pieces are a big part of our game,” Hutton said. “At the international level, those moments are crucial. Getting my head on Rose’s perfect ball was amazing. I’m hoping for more of these moments in the future.”
Since a 2-1 defeat to Brazil in April, the U.S. has rattled off five straight clean-sheet wins, outscoring opponents 18-0. Hutton, who plays for the Kansas City Current, was making her sixth national team appearance. Her goal in the 36th minute doubled the U.S. lead.
“It’s just amazing,” Hutton said. “Wearing this jersey and this badge means a lot. We talked this past week about the U.S. legacy. Being part of that means the world to me.”
U.S. coach Emma Hayes opted to rest many Europe-based players during this three-match stretch, creating opportunities for emerging talent like Hutton.
“As I’ve said, I’m focused on developing the entire ecosystem,” Hayes explained. “The more chances we give players with the national team, the stronger the NWSL becomes because it gives them hope that performances will be rewarded.”
The scoring started in the 17th minute when Lavelle delivered a free kick into the box. Canada’s Janine Sonis attempted to clear, but the ball deflected to Avery Patterson, then bounced to Coffey, who slotted it home from about nine yards out.
Both Coffey and Patterson lunged for the ball, sparking some playful debate over who actually scored.
“I’ll give her full credit for that one. I didn’t touch it,” Patterson said, with a grin. “I just set it up perfectly.”
Claudia Dickey, who also secured a shutout against Ireland in her international debut last week, preserved the clean sheet with a close-range save on Canada’s Jordyn Huitema.
Canada’s coach Casey Stoney was blunt in assessing her team’s performance, calling it “inexcusable.”
“A lack of commitment and desire—that’s not this team,” Stoney said. “We were losing 50-50s, not pressing enough. It’s not good enough. I’m not hiding from that.”
Lavelle received a standing ovation when subbed off midway through the second half. The home crowd in Washington also roared when local favorite Tara McKeown, of the Washington Spirit, came on late and set up Ryan’s goal in the 89th minute to seal the win.
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