The U.S. women’s national team left no doubts about their ability to bounce back. After dropping the opening game of their three-game international window, they responded with a win on Sunday against Portugal and followed up with a complete blowout on Wednesday against New Zealand, a 6-0 scoreline with goals by Rose Lavelle, Catarina Macario, and a hat-trick by Emma Sears. 

It was an evening of more evaluations for the coaching staff as the starting lineup featured players with few international appearances. With an average of 17.3 caps, it was the least experienced team that the USWNT have seen on the field in the last 25 years, beating the lesser cap experience total from April. Hayes continues to give players their first senior caps, as defender Kennedy Wesley made her USWNT debut. 

It’s wasn’t quite a test for the USWNT backline in general with a first half that saw zero shot attempts by New Zealand and had three goals by Sears, Macario, and Lavelle.

Lavelle’s volley came just a minute before halftime.

It’s the ninth loss this year for New Zealand, after suffering two losses against Mexico recently. Despite increased efforts to start the second half, the USWNT extended the lead by four before the hour mark. It was Sears’ second goal before completing her hat trick later in the game.

Winger Michelle Cooper connected with Sears on two of her goals against New Zealand. The duo is part of the extended pool of players that Hayes has evaluated over the last year. The elevated performances by the attackers will make coaching choices even more difficult in the build-up to the World Cup.Â