Ireland loses to US in first of two international friendlies this week

Ireland Women's National Team lost 4-0 to the US Women's National Team during an international friendly in Colorado last night, Thursday, June 26.

18,504 fans were in the stands at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado for the match up, the first of two friendlies between Ireland and the US this week.

In its match report on Friday, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) noted that first-half goals from Avery Patterson and Sam Coffey set the number one-ranked US on their way. Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Thompson rounded off the US win in the second half.

"Ireland had a great chance to pull one back when the ball dropped to Emily Murphy inside the USA penalty area, but her shot was straight at goalkeeper Claudia Dickey," the match report said.

It added: "This was a game where the home team dominated possession and adapted well to the conditions, but it was also one where Ireland Head Coach Carla Ward will feel that her team can learn a lot from.

"As they continue to build towards the UEFA Nations League Promotion / Relegation Play-Off against Belgium in October, this was a good challenge for the Girls in Green."

USA: Claudia Dickey; Avery Patterson (Gisele Thompson 59), Emily Sonnett, Naomi Girma (Jordyn Bugg 73), Lilly Reale; Claire Hutton, Sam Coffey; Alyssa Thompson (Emma Sears 86), Rose Lavelle (Olivia Moultrie 59), Michelle Cooper (Lynn Biyendolo 73); Ally Sentnor (Yazmeen Ryan 86).

Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Jessie Stapleton, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki (Izzy Atkinson 90); Ruesha Littlejohn (Tyler Toland 46), Megan Connolly; Emily Murphy (Marissa Sheva 64), Kyra Carusa (Saoirse Noonan 65), Lucy Quinn (Abbie Larkin 46); Amber Barrett (Erin Healy 75).

Referee: Vimarest Diaz (Dominican Republic).

Ireland and the US will meet again this Sunday, June 29, at 3 pm local time at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.