Republic of Ireland striker Kyra Carusa thinks the team are getting 'comfortable at being uncomfortable' as their World Cup preparations ramp up with a second challenge match against USA tonight.
Vera Pauw’s side arrive in Missouri on the back of a very creditable 2-0 loss to the world’s number-one-ranked side on Saturday, and the San Diego-born player believes that these are the sort of challenges that will sharpen their edges ahead of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
"Our games, especially against the US, are on the world stage right now," she told RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue.
"They are very much being watched so I'd say that we feel the same way, this is why we want to take on these opportunities, these big challenges, these step ups in our game.
"We want to be able to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, you've got to be that way if you’re competing in the World Cup and I’m excited for us."
Carusa made a big impression in Texas at the weekend playing in the lone striker role.
She had a goal ruled out for offside and generally caused discomfort for the home defence. Carusa said that she’s grateful for the trust Pauw has placed in her and hopes it something that she continues to experience.
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— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) April 8, 2023
So close from Ireland! Kya Carusa has the ball in the back of the net with a cushioned header, but she had strayed fractionally offside as Heather Payne whipped in the cross pic.twitter.com/6lBLUZm0oD
"It’s massive, what an opportunity for myself to be able to step into a position like that and play a team like the US and trial this new style for us.
"I’d say that it’s definitely a position I’m comfortable being in, it’s a style of play, that lone striker, I’ve played before against some pretty massive competition.
"When you’re out there you kind of just think it’s like any other game, it was nice to have the familiarity of the role."
The game was extra special for Carusa given she is one of four American born players in the squad along with Courtney Brosnan, Marissa Sheva and Sinead Farrelly.
After pinching herself to see if it was real, the London City Lioness player got down to business and she suggests that Ireland's performance in front of such a partisan crowd was the perfect preparation for the looming World Cup, especially given that their opener against Australia in July has been moved to the 82,500-capacity Accor Stadium due to the huge demand for tickets.
"Just being in the US and playing is crazy in itself. I don't think that you could have told me that this would be a position I’d be in 10, 15 years ago.
"That being said, when you step onto the pitch and there’s a sold-out crowd and it’s that loud, the roars are reverberating through the stadium, regardless of where we are in the world, regardless of who you are playing, that is palpable, that kind of energy.
"That in itself was wild but it’s also very encouraging to see us a team being able to play in an environment like that, hold our heads, be consistent, stay composed. It’s massive."
For now though, her short-term focus is to continue to drive home to Pauw that she must be one of the travelling party for the tournament.
"It’s always in the back of your mind," she said of that final selection. "I've said it before, I think that every day you’re always thinking what can I do to ensure that I'm a non-negotiable when it comes to that time, when it comes to those decisions that the coaches have to make.
"As a team player, as yourself, in whatever role that may be.....I’m daring to dream, as is everyone else."
Watch USA v Republic of Ireland in an international friendly live on Wednesday from 12.25am on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport
