U.S. U-23 WNT downs Ireland 3-0 at National Training Center

CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team defeated the Republic of Ireland 3-0 in a friendly match at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, California.

All three goals were scored by Duke University players as Christina Gibbons scored in the 19th and 42nd minutes sandwiched around a goal from Toni Payne in the 39th.

Ireland, which fell 5-0 to the USA’s senior side on Saturday in San Diego, fielded a younger squad than at Qualcomm Stadium. The U.S. lineup featured four current NWSL players and four players taken in the recent 2016 NWSL Draft.

+Read: USWNT trounces Ireland 5-0 in first match of 2016

Gibbons, who represented the USA at the 2014 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, opened the scoring after she ran onto a cross from USC’s Kayla Mills from right wing. Gibbons snuck between defenders to tap home a volley into the lower left corner.

Washington Spirt defender Caprice Dydasco set up the second goal, streak down the left wing before crossing on the ground into the slot for Payne to finish.

Just before halftime, a nice passing sequence sprung former UCLA forward Taylor Smith free into the left side of the penalty box. She drew the goalkeeper to the near post and then unselfishly slipped a pass on the ground back to the far post where Gibbons finished into the open net from close range.

Goalkeeper Abby Smith, who was taken in the third round at No. 27 overall by the Boston Breakers, made several excellent saves to earn the shutout. Western New York Flash defender Abby Dahlkemper captained the USA.

+Read: U.S. U-18 MNT concludes first camp of 2016 with pair of friendlies

U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team Match Report

Match: U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team vs. Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team
Date: Jan. 25, 2016
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: StubHub Center, Field #4, Carson, Calif.

Scoring Summary:             1          2          F
USA U-23                            3          0          3
IRL                                       0          0          0

USA – Christina Gibbons (Kayla Mills)                   19th minute
USA – Toni Payne (Caprice Dydasco)                      39
USA – Christina Gibbons (Taylor Smith)                 42

Lineups:
USA: 18-Abby Smith; 11-Kayla Mills (21-Samantha Witteman, 46), 5-Abby Dahlkemper (capt.), 16-Kristen McNabb (15-Erica Skroski, 61), 3-Caprice Dydasco; 19-Taylor Smith (7-McKenzie Meehan, 46), 10-Andi Sullivan (capt.) (23-Alexis Shaffer, 61), 14-Christina Gibbons, 12-Toni Payne (4-Shae Groom, 46); 22-Havana Solaun (6-Tyler Lussi, 46), 8-Makenzy Doniak
Subs Not Used: 1-Jane Campbell, 2-Marti Corby, 9-Josee Stiever, 13-Mallory Weber, 17-Gabby Seiler, 20-Christen Westphal, 24-Katelyn Rowland, 25-Murielle Tiernan
Head Coach: Janet Rayfield

IRL: 16-Niamh Reid Burke; 20-Grace Wright (13-Stephanie Roche, 46), 14-Jessica Gleeson (4-Louise Quinn, 46), 22-Savannah McCarthy, 5-Ciara Rossiter (2-Sophie Perry, 46); 12-Siobhan Killeen (10-Denise O’Sullivan, 46); 18-Megan Connolly, 17-Meabh De Burca (capt.), 11-Julie Ann Russell, 7-Diane Caldwell 19-Clare Shine
Subs Not Used: 1-Eve Dadana, 3-Megan Campbell, 6-Karen Duggan, 8-Aine O’Gorman, 9-Ruesha Littlejohn 15-Katie McCabe
Head Coach: Sue Ronin

Stats Summary: USA / IRL
Shots: 19 / 5
Shots on Goal: 9 / 3
Saves: 3 / 6
Corner Kicks: 8 / 0
Fouls: 9 / 7
Offside: 0 / 0

Misconduct:
None

Officials:
Referee: Israel Fernandez (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kristen Patterson (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Samantha Martinez (USA)
Fourth Official: Lexi Farmer (USA)