Kyra Carusa enjoyed a new lease of life during the Republic of Ireland's stylish march to UEFA Nations League promotion.
Having grafted admirably at the summer's World Cup - though failing to score - Carusa has made hay in the autumn and winter. Leading the line in Vera Pauw's rigid, defensive structure was a tough gig. The Dutchwoman was committed to a highly-disciplined approach that made her side hard to break down, but creatively they were one-dimensional.
Pitted against more modest opponents in the Nations League, interim boss Eileen Gleeson took the shackles off, and Carusa found her shooting boots. She scored twice in her first 15 internationals; after glancing home the third goal in Ireland's 6-1 hammering of the North on Tuesday, she now has five in her last six.
"It has been a year, guys. Wow. 2023! It's been exciting," reflected the 28-year-old Californian with her eternally sunny disposition.
"It's such a fantastic way to end the year and I feel like, as a player, it just builds and builds.
"I'm very proud to know that this team rallies behind us, as well as I rally behind them. You kind of just need everyone to have that little piece of their game, that ability to lead in their own little ways. And I think that myself and everyone else has really added that to this campaign, so I'm glad to see it in myself and everyone else."
Carusa - now plying her trade with the San Diego Waves - has some down time with the NWSL in its off-season. It's a perfect chance to recharge the batteries before getting back into camp for a massively important spring, when the Euro 2025 qualifiers begin.
"It’s funny because going to San Diego, my home, is like a holiday," she added.
"I’ve been on a plane so much, so it’s really nice to take the boots off and be able to say I’m here for at least the next few weeks. I have some places that I’m going to head out to in the US, just to go visit some people and spend time with people. It’s a good time of the year.
"I always love this camp, it's such a fantastic way to end the year and I feel like, as a player, it just builds and builds. I like to know when I come off this in December with a goal and with such a performance and go into the next year, it really only helps me. I’m excited to see what we are up to in 2024."
Kyra Carusa makes it 3-0 to the Republic of Ireland with a header.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 5, 2023
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Ireland's victory in Belfast was their sixth win on the bounce. One of the hallmarks of that streak has been Carusa's connection with Katie McCabe, a player at the absolute peak of her powers.
"For all the years that I’ve been playing next to Katie, playing on the same team and playing against Katie, I have never seen her at such a top level consistently," Carusa remarked.
"I’d say she has always had that ability. She has always been that kind of player. But at this consistent level and having a very unique ability to make others very good around her, I think that’s the true example of very good leadership and a very class player.
"I feel like she is in such good form, it’s contagious. I feel like I can be in good form because she is in good form."
