USWNT player ratings vs Iceland: Lynn Williams, Lindsey Horan power second half response as vets, debutants make marks

Emma Hayes got everything she wanted out of Sunday night and more. For much of the second-straight friendly with Iceland, the U.S. women’s national team was up against it. A young group struggled for significant stretches and, with just 20 minutes remaining, the USWNT was down 1-0.

That’s the thing about this USWNT group, though: it comes in waves. When one star exits, another comes on. On Sunday, the substitutes truly turned the tide, ultimately giving Hayes yet another win – her 12th straight unbeaten match to open her USWNT tenure – and, more important, a whole bunch of information about several key players.

Lynn Williams and Emma Sears were game-changers on Sunday, as a goal and assist from each – plus a goal from Lindsey Horan – paved the way in a 3-1 win over Iceland in Nashville. A second-half substitute, Williams finished off Sears’ assist in the 72nd minute. Williams then teed up one of the team’s most familiar faces, Horan, sliding a ball across goal for the midfielder to tap in for the game-winner.

Sears, then, put one away for good measure, curling a shot to the far post to cap off a dream debut.

“It was super fun. That’s what it’s about – who can come in and make a difference when we’re just knocking on the door and it’s just not going our way,” said Mallory Swanson, was honored Sunday after becoming the 44th player in USWNT history to reach 100 international appearance (in the Olympics final) and at 26 years old, is the youngest to reach the century mark since 25-year-old Amy Rodriguez achieved the feat in 2012.

“Soph (Smith) came in, Lynn came in, Lindsey, Emma … I’m just really happy for her. It’s funny … I’ve seen it in the league so many times … we were playing Louisville and she ripped a shot like that. The ball was going, and I was like, ‘This is going in.’ It was a great finish.”

It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means. A goalkeeping mishap from Casey Murphy led to an Iceland Olimpico, with Karolína Lea Vilhjalmsdottir credited for the goal in the first half – marking the first time in Hayes’ time with the U.S. that the team had trailed. And, for large stretches of the game, the USWNT really couldn’t create, at least not to the level they did in the matching 3-1 win on Thursday.

The film sessions on this one will be fun, particularly for Hayes. It’s a game that will show the team’s youngsters that there is plenty to learn, but also one that will show plenty of good moments from players who needed them.

There’s still one more game in the camp, a match Wednesday night against Argentina, and one more chance to rotate. Sunday was the night for Williams and Horan and Sears, as they seized their big chances and converted.

GOAL rates the USWNT’s players from Geodis Park

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  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Casey Murphy (5/10):

  Needed to do better on the Iceland goal. Was out of position, forcing her to backpedal to a ball that should have been pushed away. Not the best moment, but no need to pile on her. It happens sometimes, even to really good goalkeepers.

  Jenna Nighswonger (6/10):

  Got forward as usual, but did get caught out pretty badly on one sequence early. That’s going to happen sometimes when you’re as aggressive as the USWNT is on that left-hand side.

  Emily Sams (8/10):

  Did fantastic to snuff out one early Iceland chance, which clearly gave her a bit of confidence. Was totally composed, which was very nice to see considering this was her debut.

  Emily Sonnett (8/10):

  Probably the best player on the field until Williams and Sams took it to another level. Did so well defensively, providing the stability and leadership needed considering many of the pieces around her.

  Casey Krueger (5/10):

  Plenty of energy, but was too wasteful. A few too many giveaways at times where the U.S. needed to be really pushing forward.

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    Midfield

    Korbin Albert (5/10):

    Was active but not particularly effective. Didn’t offer the attacking presence nor the defensive presence that the USWNT needed, particularly in the first half.

    Sam Coffey (6/10):

    Did some good work during her 45 minutes, despite the pieces around her not really fitting right. Was taken off at halftime, but it had nothing to do with her performance.

    Olivia Moultrie (5/10):

    Never really got going as she drifted a bit wider than she does on the club level. Probably needed someone with a bit more experience than Albert alongside her to bring a bit of composure to the midfield.

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    Attack

    Yazmeen Ryan (5/10):

    Had a few decent moments, but seemed to play a little too fast at times. Composure comes with experience, so give her time there.

    Mallory Swanson (6/10):

    For most of the game, she looked like the only USWNT player capable of breaking through. Was surprising to see her go all 90, which means she’ll surely rest next game.

    Jaedyn Shaw (6/10):

    Started centrally and had one long shot at goal early, but that was about it. No real dynamic moments like the one that resulted in her goal on Thursday night.

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    Subs & Manager

    Emily Fox (6/10):

    Got 45 minutes of rest before being thrown right back in as a substitute. Still, there’s a reason why the USWNT rely on her so often, and it’s because she’s reliable.

    Lindsey Horan (8/10):

    Nearly scored one a few minutes after coming on, and then really scored one just moments after Williams’ opener. A heck of a performance off the bench for a player who remains a guaranteed starter in real games.

    Alyssa Thompson (7/10):

    Played a part in the buildup to the USWNT opener. Definitely added life to the attack.

    Emma Sears (9/10):

    Came on and provided the crucial assist on Williams’ goal with a great touch. Her own curled goal was stunning, too, as she capped off a near-perfect debut late in the match.

    Lynn Williams (9/10):

    She was about as good as you can be as a substitute. Scored the USWNT’s first goal and did the hard part on the second by sliding it across goal to Horan. A fantastic game from a player that needed one to really push the rest of the competitors in attack.

    Sophia Smith (7/10):

    Like Thompson, was involved in the buildup, although it was a bit of an accident. Her mis-hit shot went right to Sears, who teed up the goal. In all seriousness, Smith’s presence was felt as she immediately put Iceland on the back foot.

    Emma Hayes (8/10):

    She’ll have loved everything about this. She was able to give several players a chance and then saw her team fight back against adversity. At this point in the cycle, adversity is great, particularly for a coach like Hayes who is still learning about a lot of these players.