USWNT 2-0 Republic of Ireland summary: score, goals, highlights, international friendly

Goals from Fox and Horan from the spot seal the win for the World Cup holders as the Irish gave a spirited display and were the better team for parts of the first half.

USA 2-0 ROI

All over in Austin.

The US win

The second US goal

Final minute of the contest as the US look to close out the contest and turn their attention to the next meeting of the sides in St. Louis. 

The USA have been worthy winners and despite a solid first half, Ireland have been outclassed in the second 45 minutes.

Fox almost bags her second of the night as Brosman, once again is alert to push the ball past the post.

O'Hanlon comes on for Sheva

Fine strike from Smith as she forces Brosman to save well.

The US pressing now looking for a third to seal the win.

O'Sullivan carded as she clips Horan.

USA 2-0 ROI

Horan doubles the lead for the USWNT

Lyon striker Horan to take....

The No. 10 drives the ball home and the US take a 2-0 lead.

Caldwell hauls Horan to the ground and the Canadian ref awards a spot kick.

Free for the US as Rodman is fouled. Horan strikes and the ball clips the wall for a USWNT corner.

Nothing of note from Ireland in attack in the second half with the focus more on keeping the US at bay.

Into the final stretch of the contest as Ertz is carded for a cynical foul on McCabe.

Ireland on the ropes as the US increase the tempo.

Almost 2-0 for the US as Lavalle forces Brosnan to scramble the ball past the post.

Ertz on for Sullivan

Hatch on for Morgan.

Sonnett on for Dunn.

Changes poised for the US as the game drifts into a lull with stoppages interrupting the flow of the action.

We're past the hour mark and the US still lead despite flashes of danger from the Irish.

Farrelly off for Gorman.

Littlejohn on for Manion

Dunn to Rodman again and this time Brosnan was alert and saves well. Dunn and Lavelle very much instrumental in all the positive play from the US.

Lavelle finds Rodman and the 20-year-old has to do better with the goal at her mercy as she blazes the ball into the stand.

Wonderful play from Rose Lavelle as she skips past three green shirts and just sees her pass into the heart of the Ireland box overhit. 

Dunn finds Rodman and the 20-year-old heads wide but has made a positive impression since coming on.

The US press as Rodman almost pulls the ball back but wins a corner for her side.

Alex Morgan has been uncharacteristically quiet today for the US.

Early pressure from Ireland at the start of the second 45'.

We're back in action in Austin.

The Emily Fox goal that separates the teams

HT: USA 1-0 ROI

The whistle sounds and it's just the long range Emily Fox that separates the teams.

Ireland have the ball in the net but the flag is up.

Carusa glances the ball into the net but the striker was just offside.

We're into the 47th minute of the game but the two Swanson injuries will see a hefty chunk of time to be added.

Swanson is subbed for Rodman

Faces of concern in the Q2 Stadium as the striker is set to be stretchered from the pitch... the problem seems to be the left knee and she immediately called for medical assistance. 

Coach Vlatko Andonovski makes to the pitch to ascertain the nature of the injury but this does not look geat.

Swanson is injured and seems to be in some distress.

A stretcher being called and that is not a good sign. The striker seems to be in some pain after a robust challenge from Manion.

Ten minutes of the half remain and it will be Vera Pauw the happier of the two head coaches as her Ireland side have looked solid and deprived the World Cup holders of clear cut chances with the best chances going the way of the Irish. 

Manion carded for impeding Smith's run and the Ireland player is the first name in the ref's book today.

The US currently with ten players but it does look that Swanson will continue to play. 

A round of applause as the 24-year-old returns to the pitch.

Play still held up as Swanson is slowly starting to generate some movement but not sure if she'll be able to continue in the game as the striker is now back on her feet.

Swanson collides with the Ireland keeper and seems to be heavily concussed. This does not look great for the Chicago Red Stars striker.

A fine 'Always Possible' mosaic tifo is displayed at the Q2 Stadium as Ireland almost spoil the moment as the US are forced to clear as the ball ricochets in the US box.

Ireland go close as Alex Morgan is forced to clear the ball from the line from a Louise Quinn header.

The visitors certainly holding their own in the first 20' or so of action.

Despite all the US dominance, still nothing of real threat on Courtney Brosnan's goal with the Irish side defending well.

Great counter from Ireland as Carusa does well and just lacked support from green shirts after great work and assist from McCabe.

McCabe is on the floor after getting a bang to the head. The 27-year-old needing treatment and seems to be okay to carry on.

Ireland pegged back now with the US totally dominating possession as Ireland soak up the pressure and look to strike on the counter.

Just hitting the ten minute mark and still nothing to get either keeper into action with the bulk of the play being centered in the middle of the park.

Great free from Rose Lavelle and Ireland struggle to get it away and end up securing a goal kick.

Ireland are up to 22nd in the latest FIFA rankings, their highest ever position as they look to continue their unbeaten run of nine games – recording eight clean sheets in the process.

The US playing a patient game just moving the ball around from side to side to look for an opening in the Irish team with the visitors well drilled and organised.

The US now starting to move the ball around comfortably as they ease their way into the contest.

McCabe looking for Quinn at the back post but the header was. poor and drifts over the bar.

Early pressure coming from Ireland as they win the first corner of the day.

We're underway in Texas

Ireland kick-off

USWNT-Rep. of Ireland is underway....

USA-ROI: match officials

Referee: Carly Shaw MacLaren (CAN)
Assistant Referee: Melissa Snedden (CAN)
Assistant Referee: Gabrielle Lemieux (CAN)
Fourth Official: Jasmine Peralta (USA)

Julie Ertz getting a presentation as she returns to international action after the birth of her baby. Ertz is on the bench today for the US.

National anthem time and first up, that of the Republic of Ireland... 

Plenty of green clad Ireland fans at the Q2 Stadium today. Next up that of the USA and the 'Star Spangled Banner'.

The US in their new World Cup shirt which gets its first runout tonight. 

Ireland too are debuting a new kit with the FAI making the switch from long time official kit supplier Umbro to Castore.

The teams are in the tunnel at the Q2 with many players out to impress with places in the World Cup squad on the line for both teams.

A night to savour for Ireland as they face the current World Cup champions...can they record a positive result for the first time ever against the USWNT.

Word coming in is that the Q2 Stadium in Austin will be 'close' to being a sell out, so almost 20,000 fans in attendance at the home of Austin FC. 

22 of the 27 players in the Ireland squad play outside the country, including 15 in England, two in Scotland and three in the USA with World Cup heroine Amber Barrett (who bagged the goal in Glasgow to secure a World Cup berth) playing in Germany.

Pre-game: Ireland coach Pauw

“We are looking forward to this game against the World No 1 as it presents us with a fantastic opportunity to test ourselves against a quality opponent who will put us under the type of pressure that we will experience at the World Cup.

“We know how good the USA are with so many world class players and an excellent coach, but we will focus on what we can take from these two games – starting on Saturday in Austin. It is a challenge that we are ready to embrace, even if we remain realistic about how difficult it will be".

USWNT warm-up at Q2

As kick-off looms closer, fans start to start to make their way into the stands at the home to Austin FC with grey skies overhead with a current temperature in Texas of 15C/59F. At present, no rain forecast during the contest.

Despite the USA starting as firm favourites ahead of the clash in Austin, the Irish are on a fine run and are on a record unbeaten run of nine games – recording eight clean sheets in the process.

Ireland too are headed to Australia/New Zealand this summer as a solitary goal in Glasgow against Scotland was good enough to steer Vera Pauw's side to their first ever World Cup.

The Irish are in Group B alongside co-hosts Australia, Canada and Nigeria. 

The games against the Irish are the final two for the USA before head coach Vlatko Andonovski and his staff will select the 23-player roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The four-time World Cup champions USA will kick off the World Cup campaign in just over 100 days in Auckland, New Zealand.

The USA are in Group E along with Vietnam, Netherlands and Portugal.

Q2 Stadium

This is not the first time that the USWNT have played in Austin, the Q2 Stadium hosted its first major event on 16 June, 2021, an international friendly between the United States women's national team and Nigeria.

100th cap for O'Sullivan as Farrelly makes debut

Vera Pauw picks her XI to face the USA in Austin as captain Denise O’Sullivan is set to earn her 100th cap, while NWSL player Sinead Farrelly makes her debut for the 'Girls in Green'.

USWNT XI confirmed

Vlatko Andonovski has named the side to face Ireland in Austin today with young prospect Naomi Grima exciting many.

Becky Sauerbrunn captains the team and earns her 215th cap for the USA.

Big night for Denise O'Sullivan

The Cork native and North Carolina Courage player is set to make her 100th appearance for the Republic of Ireland tonight in Austin as they face the World Cup holders.

Emma Byrne, Áine O’Gorman, Niamh Fahey, Ciara Grant and Louise Quinn are the only other Irish players in the history of the women's game to reach the 100 cap milestone.

Q2 Stadium is ready

A good crowd is expected at the Q2 Stadium today with the ground home to MLS side Austin FC and boasting a capacity of just over 20,000.

USA-ROI: game 14

Today's contest in Austin will be the 14th meeting all-time between the USA and the Republic of Ireland and the first since the teams met on August 3, 2019, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California in the USWNT’s first match after winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Played in front of a crowd of over 37,000 fans at the site of the historic 1999 Women’s World Cup final, the USA topped Ireland 3-0 led by goals from Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath.

Tonight's game marks the 14th meeting between the USWNT and the Irish side with the USA leading the series against the Irish 13-0-0. Not a great omen for Vera Pauw and her side who are also looking forward to making their debut at a World Cup next July.

This is the first of two contests between the US and the 'Girls in Green' with both sides squaring off once again next week in St. Louis. 

Hello and welcome to our live coverage as the USWNT face the Republic of Ireland in a pre-World Cup friendly game in Austin Texas.