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New faces graced the pitch for the United States women’s national team on Saturday during their 3-0 victory vs. China, however there were a serious lack of faces in the stands of DRV PNK Stadium.
Saturday’s game in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was technically the first game of the Emma Hayes era as the new head coach will join the squad next year.
Big names like Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Naeher and Becky Sauerbrunn were left off the roster as the USWNT begin preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite those household names left at home, the starting XI for the USWNT was still strong. Sophia Smith started at the No. 9 position and was joined in attack by Trinity Rodman and Rose Lavelle.
Our penultimate Starting XI of 2023 pic.twitter.com/AtTfGiQZZU
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 2, 2023
Still, the fans didn’t show in a terribly disappointing turn out. The official attendance hasn't been posted, but it was likely under 10,000 fans.
Expect some relatively rough attendance numbers these two games — honestly feels like a flashback to my early days covering the #USWNT. pic.twitter.com/TwnJGHWSWt
— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) December 2, 2023
The attendance for this #USWNT game is a bit shocking
— Emily Higginbotham (@EmilyHigg) December 2, 2023
A peek at SeatGeek before the game showed that tickets were going for as cheap as $16 with others in the $20 range. Next Tuesday's game for the USWNT show prices around $40. What gives?
It’s hard to say what the exact reasoning for the sparse crowd was. Was it the lack of the bigger names, China not being the most interesting opponent, the start of the holiday season, people watching college football, poor marketing, Florida fans not caring or DRV PNK Stadium only filling if Lionel Messi is there?
Perhaps it was a mixture of all those factors.
The result for the USWNT was never in question as the Americans outshot China 20-2. Trinity Rodman assisted two and scored one for herself.
Trinity Rodman Sophia Smith
Too easyWatch USA vs. China PR on TNT and Max pic.twitter.com/lg3L4ihiJT
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 2, 2023
Lindsey Horan will take it
Watch USA vs. China PR on TNT and Max pic.twitter.com/TiqVyNSLqE— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 2, 2023
Trinity Rodman gives a goal early and receives a goal late
Watch USA vs. China PR on TNT and Max pic.twitter.com/QDiYl8rZh2— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 2, 2023
Some of the finishing in front of goal for the USWNT was rather shaky including this brutal open goal miss from Smith.
Sophia Smith will want this one back
Watch USA vs. China PR on TNT and Max pic.twitter.com/OYWXR04Okh— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 2, 2023
The other big highlight was getting to see so many new names on the field at the same time including USWNT debuts for Jenna Nighswonger and 18-year-old Olivia Moultrie.
Debut pic.twitter.com/jxJBHEUEzx
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 2, 2023
Debut, x2 https://t.co/93P5F3SvQR pic.twitter.com/8t9iUNdO5U
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) December 2, 2023
Six substitutes were used for the USWNT which included the likes of Mia Fishel, Jaedyn Shaw, Sam Coffey and Midge Purce.
The U.S. will play China again on Tuesday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. That game will include a farewell ceremony to legendary defender Ali Krieger before kickoff.
Perhaps that game will attract better attendance.
