USWNT - Dominican Republic summary: score, goals and highlights | CONCACAF W Gold Cup 2024

Peeep peeep peeep! The USWNT managed nine goals fewer than the last time they met the Dominican Republic, but that still translates into a big win for the tournament hosts.

Twila Kilgore's team pinned the Dominicans back all night; there was, to be frank, never a shred of doubt that they would open up their Gold Cup campaign with all three points. The Stars and Stripes have now gone 80 straight home games against CONCACAF opposition without defeat.

Thanks to Mexico and Argentina's draw in today's earlier Group A match, the USWNT head straight to the top of their section. And, given that two of the three third-placed finishers will go through to the quarter-finals, they're already within touching distance of the next round.

Next up for the US is a clash against the Argentinians on Friday. The Dominicans, meanwhile, head into a matchday-two meeting with Mexico.

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Indeed she can: it's a nifty low ball into Morgan's run to the near post, but her shot isn't stuck well enough. Peña saves.

And that, surely, is that.

At the other end, Lavelle is brought down on the right-hand side, and the USWNT have a free-kick in a similar position to that Dominican Republic set piece.

Can Nighswonger offer up a better delivery?

González delivers... and González shanks it high into the stands. A waste.

We're into seven minutes of stoppage time in Carson, by the way.

Coffey commits a foul inside the US half, and the Dominican Republic have a rare opportunity to send the ball into the box.

Another penalty for the US!

Reed escapes without a second yellow, though.

The referee is called over to the monitor to take a look at that Reed tackle on Rodman - and the replay does suggest she got a lot of player and not a lot of ball.

Rodman dances into the box and falls under Reed's challenge... but this time a penalty will not be given.

Or will it...

The Dominicans respond to that fourth goal by making another sub.

OFF: Peralta.

ON: Oviedo.

And Reed becomes the first player to be booked all game.

Penalty given!

Oh, hello. The referee is called over to the pitchside monitor to look at a possible foul in the box by Dominican defender Reed.

She does appear to stamp on Shaw.

Do we have time for a fourth from the US? Surely we do.

Williams scampers to the byline on the left, before fizzing a cut-back across the face of goal. There are a number of players in white shirts waiting for it, chiefly Rodman - but the ball flashes past her at the back stick!

There is that substitution for the US.

OFF: Albert.

ON: Lavelle.

Again Williams is on the end of a left-wing cross, but again she's unable to beat Peña when she gets her head to a corner-kick delivery.

The USWNT are preparing to bring Rose Lavelle on.

That's good goalkeeping from Peña.

The USWNT work it back out to Rodman on the left, where she hangs up a high cross towards the back stick. Williams is waiting to pull the ball down and shoot, but the Dominican goalkeeper narrows the angle at the near post, and blocks.

Rodman cuts in from the right, dances her way across the top of the box and feeds it into Morgan in the box. 

The veteran striker tries to return it to Rodman, but can't find her.

Having been left out of the squad until Mia Fishel's serious knee injury on Monday, Morgan is winning her 216th cap for the USWNT today.

Now the Dominicans make another couple of substitutions.

ON: Keisla Gil and Kat González.

OFF: Colón and Kara.

The USWNT make a triple change - and Moultrie is taken off now.

ON: Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw

OFF: Purce, Smith and Moultrie.

Hold on, maybe Moultrie isn't going off after all. She's back on, at least for now.

Oh dear. Having just celebrated her second goal of the night, Moultrie goes down awkwardly on the edge of the Dominican Republic area, and is in some pain.

There's a hush around the ground as the teenager gets medical attention. After a minute or so, she's back on her feet and, encouragingly, is even seen momentarily jogging down the touchline.

She's going to be replaced.

Smith again drops into a pocket of deeper space to pick up the ball, before turning and trying to create. She feeds a ball into the area towards Williams, but she can't find her colleague.

The Dominicans regain the ball for about a second, before it's back under US control.

Albert strikes from the edge of the box, but her shot is blocked.

Back come the US. First, Fox shows great hussle inside the area, before the ball pinballs around the box without an American managing to get a clean strike on it.

A minute later, Smith drops deep to receive, turns and shoots from just outside of the 18-yard area - but curls her effort just past Peña's left-hand post.

The pattern of the first half has immediately been reestablished in the second.

Williams shoots well over from 25 yards out, before Fox's right-wing cross a few moments later finds the forward's head. She nods well off target, though.

Those half-time subs were as follows:

The US replaced Emily Sonnett with Emily Fox.

The Dominican Republic, meanwhile, made a double change. Jazmin Jackson and Alexa Pacheco are on for Mía Asenjo and Jaylen Vallecillo.

Peeeeep! We're back underway.

Teams back out in Carson!

The USWNT and the Dominican Republic have emerged from the dressing rooms, and we're almost ready to go again.

There are some half-time changes to tell you about.

FIFA

FIFA to study unifying men’s and women’s World Cup trophies

In other women's-soccer news, it has emerged that FIFA is considering having just the one trophy for both the men's and women's World Cups.

My colleagues Joaquín Maroto and Paul Reidy have more.

W GOLD CUP

Women’s Gold Cup 2024: times, how to watch on TV, stream online, fixtures and dates

Let me also point you in the direction of our guide to how you can watch the W Gold Cup between now and 10 March.

W GOLD CUP

Why is Emma Hayes not managing the USWNT for the W Gold Cup?

As mentioned in the build-up to today's game, Twila Kilgore is merely keeping the USWNT bench warm for head coach-to-be Emma Hayes, who is due to take over at the end of the European club season.

My colleague Joe Brennan has more on the Chelsea boss's appointment as USWNT coach.

Moultrie opens USWNT goal account

Olivia Moultrie's early opener for the US, which was of course the first ever goal in the W Gold Cup, is also the 18-year-old's first for the Stars and Stripes.

She's earning her third cap today, having been given her senior international debut in December.

Peeep peeep peeep! It's 2-0 to the US at the break, and it could have been more. 

Barring the most unexpected of second-half turnarounds, the tournament hosts are heading to the top of Group A after matchday one.

Nighswonger has seen a lot of the ball in this first half - and fancies her chances from range.

Receiving the ball some 35 yards or so out from goal, she gets plenty of welly behind her shot, but gets under it. It flies high and into the stands.

There'll be four minutes of time added on in Carson.

Albert hits the crossbar! So close to a third for the USWNT!

When the ball falls to her just inside the Dominican box, she quickly gets the ball out of her feet and shoots. It takes a slight touch off a Dominican boot - and that's just enough to push it onto the woodwork.

There's a collectors' item: a Dominican attack of substance.

With a gaggle of white shirts surrounding her, Asenjo finds space to cross from the right - but her delivery is weak. It's dealt with by the hosts.

Peralta hurt herself in a collision as she sought to get forward into the USWNT box, but is back on her feet quickly enough.

Nighswonger is again involved as the USWNT create once more. She scampers forward in the right-hand channel, before slipping a nice little ball into Moultrie, who has peeled off into space on the corner of the box. 

Moultrie has time to take a touch and shoot, but blazes over.

Purce is brought down on the right wing, and Nighswonger stands over the free-kick with bodies waiting inside the box.

The Dominican Republic deal with Nighswonger's delivery... but the USWNT are right back on the attack.

Again Williams links up with Moultrie, bursting forward at pace before laying it square for her colleague to shoot from the corner of the Dominican box.

Moultrie can't find the target, but the US are utterly pinning the visitors back. It's a matter of time before Twila Kilgore's side get a third.

Williams drives to the byline on the left, before cutting it back to Moultrie inside the box. Her shot is blocked, but the loose ball falls to Albert on the edge of the area.

Albert shoots... over.

It's just attack against defence at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Nighswonger plays a one-two with Moultrie and strikes from the edge of the box, but her shot is blocked.

A moment later, Purce darts towards the byline and lifts a cross towards the penalty spot, where Williams gets her head on it. She nods well over.

Sonnett pings a pass to Williams on the left, but the forward can't bring the ball properly under her spell, and it runs out for a Dominican Republic goal-kick.

Around 70% possession for the hosts as things stand. To be honest, I'm surprised that stat isn't even more overwhelming.

As Sonnett brings the ball out from the back, there's a moment of panic when Asenjo picks her pocket and sets off towards the US goal. Sonnett quickly recovers to regain possession, however.

"Another team might make you pay for that," our commentators tut-tut.

Another chance for Nighswonger to deliver a corner kick for the USWNT, and again it's headed away.

A minute later, Williams gets another opportunity to create danger when she runs at the Dominican defence on the left. She tries to cross low, but it's cut out for a corner.

Nighswonger's corner loops into the danger area, where the Dominicans deal with it. Cuevas takes a blow to the head in her efforts to clear, and play stops as she gets some medical attention. She looks like she's fine to go on.

Now Sonnett clips a right-wing ball over to the back post from deep, with Williams waiting in space. She can't connect properly, however, and the chance is lost.

For pretty much the first time, the Dominicans get an opportunity to lift the ball forward into the US half, but the Americans win it back right away.

Williams feeds it forward to Smith in the right-hand channel, and she drops a shoulder and drifts inside in search of shooting space. Smith finds it... but her weakly-hit strike takes a couple of deflections and runs into Peña's arms.

The USWNT lift it forward to Williams on the left. She looks to wriggle her way free into a position to deliver into the area, but succeeds only in bamboozling herself, rather than her marker. The ball trickles out for a throw-in to the Dominican Republic.

That's bright attacking play by Purce, who cuts in from the inside and fizzing a ball into the near post, where Moultries is waiting. Her flick flashes just past the near post.

Ah, hold on. Williams' goal is being checked up in the VAR booth... and it's ruled out!

Sophia Smith was standing in an offside position in front of Peña and is deemed to have obstructed the goalkeeper as Williams' header flew into the net.

As you were, then.

Peeeep! Guatemalan referee Astrid Gramajo gets us underway!

Last look at the line-ups

With the anthems now done, it's almost time for kick-off.

A final reminder of the teams:

USWNT: 

Naeher, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Sonnett, Nighswonger, Moultrie, Albert, Williams, Purce, Coffey, Smith.

Dominican Republic:

Peña, Mercedes, Cuevas, Reed, Colón, Tapia, Vallecillo, Peralta, Marte, Kara, Asenjo.

And now the US anthem.

It's wet in Carson, incidentally. 

Teams out in Carson!

The two teams have made their way onto the field at Dignity Health Sports Park, and it's anthem time.

The Dominican Republic up first.

WOMEN'S GOLD CUP

USWNT - Dominican Republic: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Women’s Gold Cup

By the way, if you're wondering how you can watch the USWNT vs the Dominican Republic on TV or online, let me point you in the direction of my colleague Andy Restrepo's guide on where to tune in.

California a golden state for the USWNT

What's more, the US are particularly at home in California: they have never lost a match played in the Golden State (W49 D4). 

And the Stars and Stripes know that every game on their path to a potential final will be played in California. Not only will all their Group A games be played in Carson, but all knockout-stage matches will be held in either Los Angeles or San Diego.

What is USWNT's home record vs CONCACAF teams?

As if memories of the teams’ previous meeting weren’t ominous enough for the Dominican Republic, the USWNT’s home record against CONCACAF opposition is... good.

In games on US soil, the four-time world champions are undefeated against teams from the region since December 2000. During that 79-match run, the Americans have won 77 and drawn two.

105 world-ranking places between US and Dominicans

Twelve years on from that double-digit drubbing, a cricket score of such proportions isn’t expected this time around.

Nevertheless, the teams' respective rankings illustrate the gulf that remains between these nations, at least on paper.

While the US are the top-ranked team in CONCACAF and are second in FIFA's global rankings, the Dominican Republic are 12th in their region, and are all the way down in 107th in the world.

When did USWNT and Dominican Republic last meet?

There has only been one previous meeting between the USWNT and the Dominican Republic - and it was one for the record books.

In Olympic qualifying in 2012, the US recorded their biggest ever win, thumping the Dominicans 14-0. 

"Believe" - Dominican coach's message to supporters

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Dominicans' major-tournament debut, Parra issued a clarion call to the country's soccer fans.

“We’re raring to go and are out to make history. Our message [to the fans] is: believe in these players, in this project. We want to put women’s soccer in the Dominican Republic on the map, and [our supporters’] job is to keep on believing in us and keeping on getting right behind us.”

American flavour to Dominican squad

The Dominican Republic's Gold Cup roster features a whole host of US-based players.

In all, 12 members of Henry Parra’s travelling party ply their trade in the States, mostly in college soccer.

A point each for Mexico and Argentina

It's all over in the first Group A game of the day - and we're still waiting for the first goal of the Gold Cup proper.

Mexico came the closest when they spurned a ninth-minute penalty kick, and it ends scoreless between them and Argentina.

González golazo guns down Guyana

The Dominican Republic beat Guyana 1-0, thanks to a fine second-half strike by Kat González.

González's reward for taking her country into their first ever major tournament? A place on the substitutes' bench.

How did the Dominican Republic qualify for the Gold Cup?

While the Americans have long had their Gold Cup spot in the bag, the Dominicans didn't confirm their place in the group stage until this weekend.

Having topped Group C in League B of Gold Cup qualifying, Henry Parra's side beat Guyana in the preliminary round on Saturday, winning 1-0 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

As I mentioned in my intro, it's the first time that the Dominican Republic have made it to the group stage of a major tournament.

Dominican Republic team news

The Dominicans' starting XI is out. It is: Peña, Mercedes, Cuevas, Reed, Colón, Tapia, Vallecillo, Peralta, Marte, Kara, Asenjo.

Horan says sorry after describing fans as not "smart"

Horan, who is on the bench today, last week apologised after saying US soccer fans “aren’t smart” in an interview earlier this month.

The midfielder had told The Athletic: “American soccer fans, most of them aren't smart. They don't know the game. They don't understand. [But] it's getting better and better."

Speaking on Thursday, Horan said sorry for her remarks, which she described as “poorly expressed”.

Naeher closes in on 100th USWNT cap

The likes of Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe and Samantha Mewis have now retired, but there are still some members of the old guard left in the USWNT's Gold Cup squad.

There are four players with 100 or more caps: Lindsey Horan, Crystal Dunn, Sauerbrunn and Morgan. 

And goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher may well join them during this tournament. She wins her 98th cap for the USWNT today.

USWNT a team in transition after WWC exit

As the Americans set about rejuvenating their side in the wake of their World Cup disappointment, there are plenty of fresh faces in the USWNT’s 23-player squad for the Gold Cup.

Indeed, there were only 10 survivors from the US’s World Cup roster in the squad initially announced by Kilgore - although two more have since come in for injury victims.

Becky Sauerbrunn replaced Alana Cook earlier this month, and it was this week announced that Alex Morgan has been called up to deputise for Mia Fishel, who tore her ACL in training on Monday.

Before Fishel’s withdrawal, there were as many as seven players in the USWNT squad with caps hauls still in single figures.

Kilgore in charge ahead of Hayes arrival

After Vlatko Andonovski was fired in the wake of the team's last-16 exit from the World Cup in August, the USWNT are currently led by interim boss Twila Kilgore. 

Kilgore, who was an assistant to Andonovski, will revert to her previous role when Chelsea's Emma Hayes takes over as the Stars and Stripes' new head coach in June.

Speaking ahead of the Gold Cup, Kilgore described the tournament as the ideal preparation for this summer's Paris Summer Games. Like the CONCACAF competition, the Olympic soccer tournament is a 12-team tournament with two-day gaps between group matches, and a total of six games separating teams from glory.

“Not only is there a trophy on the line, but this is a great opportunity to capitalize on meaningful match opportunities and experience the short turnarounds between games, which is a rhythm that closely mirrors the Olympic format," Kilgore said.

USWNT team news

We have confirmation of the USWNT's starting line-up for their W Gold Cup opener. It is: Naeher, Nighswonger, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Coffey, Sonnett, Albert, Moultrie, Williams, Purce, Smith.

Mexico, Argentina still goalless in first Group A game

By the way, the Group A action is already underway ahead of the USWNT's opener against the Dominicans.

In the first game of the W Gold Cup group stage, Mexico and Argentina are yet to break the deadlock in Carson. Rebeca Bernal had the opportunity to put the Mexicans ahead from the spot early in the first half, but thrashed her penalty wide.

The US face Argentina on Friday 23 February, before closing out the group stage against Mexico on Monday 26 February.

All Group A games are to be played at at Dignity Health Sports Park.

How did the USWNT qualify for the W Gold Cup?

Drawn in Group A with the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Mexico, the US booked their spot at the W Gold Cup back in 2022.

The Stars and Stripes stamped their ticket to the competition by winning the CONCACAF W Championship for the 10th time in their history, Alex Morgan's late penalty giving them final victory over Canada.

What are the 2024 W Gold Cup venues?

As with this summer's men's Copa América, the US has been chosen to host the inaugural W Gold Cup.

In all, four American cities will be staging the new tournament - three of which are in California. In addition to Carson's Dignity Health Sports Park, the Golden State will also be hosting Gold Cup games at Los Angeles BMO Stadium and San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium, which will be the setting for the final in three weeks' time.

Texas will also witness Gold Cup action, at Houston's Shell Energy Stadium. 

CONCACAF-CONMEBOL crossover amid "strategic partnership"

The involvement of four South American teams in the W Gold Cup comes as part of CONCACAF's “strategic partnership” with CONMEBOL, an agreement announced in January 2023.

The alliance will also see six CONCACAF nations take part in this year's men’s Copa América, which is to be played in the US.

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay were chosen as CONMEBOL's Gold Cup participants after finishing as the top four teams at the 2022 women's Copa América.

Introducing the CONCACAF W Gold Cup

The 12-team W Gold Cup is, in the words of CONCACAF, the region’s “new flagship women’s international competition”.

It features eight countries from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and four guest teams from South America's CONMEBOL.

CONCACAF nations: 

Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, United States.

CONMEBOL nations: 

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay.

USWNT vs Dominican Republic: welcome!

Hello! Six months on from their historic Women’s World Cup elimination, the USWNT are back in competitive action. 

As they gear up for the Olympics later this year, the Americans make their debut in a brand new competition today - and face a Dominican side that have made it to their first ever major tournament.

Kick-off at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, is at 10:15pm ET/7:15pm PT.