Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says the manner of her team's defeat to World Cup holders USA is a measure of the upward trajectory of the Girls in Green.
A 2-0 away defeat to the number one ranked side in the world was far from a humbling. Indeed, the visitors were left to rue some missed opportunities in Austin.
A long-range strike by Emily Fox saw the hosts lead 1-0 at the break, while Lindsey Horan’s penalty with 11 minutes remaining, after her jersey was pulled by Diane Caldwell, sealed the friendly win at Q2 Stadium.
Ireland however had their chances. Kyra Carusa headed what she thought was an equaliser, but she was just offside from Heather Payne’s cross, and only some last-ditch tackling in the area by the hosts ensured a clean sheet.
All in all, Pauw was encouraged by what she saw.
"What I said to the group is that I’m really proud because we were aiming to make a huge step in our development, and huge compliments to all the players in the way they did that," she told RTÉ Sport.
With Ireland retreating, Fox opened the scoring, something Pauw felt the team could have addressed earlier.
Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says the performance against the USA was a sign of the progress they are making as a team pic.twitter.com/iDNzwu9oBY
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 8, 2023
"It started with the long balls we were giving them. Then you give the momentum away. If one person is not quick enough.
"I think it was more our mistake that we were not on the same sheet to keep playing the way we started the game, therefor constantly giving the ball away unnecessarily."
Denise O’Sullivan celebrated her 100th cap on the day with the captain’s armband and said the pressing simply wasn’t good enough for the opening goal, but paid tribute to the team’s attacking intent.
"That’s a complement to us. We created them [chances], but we didn’t finish and I think that is the next step for this team, putting away those chances," she said.
'We're coming off the pitch disappointed as we had chances’ – Player of the match Louise Quinn reflects on the 2-0 defeat in Austin pic.twitter.com/mL4Im5HhuD
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 8, 2023
Central defender Louise Quinn, who had a first-half header cleared off the line and ahead of Tuesday’s second friendly against the same opposition, says the future is bright given the teams performances against high calibre opposition.
"We’re putting it to teams, creating chances. We feel those goals are preventable," she said.
"We are coming off the pitch a little disappointed, because we had chances."
