CARSON, California – The second match of Group A on the first match day of the Concacaf W Gold Cup group stage saw the United States down Prelims winner Dominican Republic 5-0 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Tuesday evening.
On her first start with the USWNT, 18-year-old FW Olivia Moultrie scored the first goal of the 2024 W Gold Cup group stage in the 8’, with FW Midge Purce controlling the ball into the área and crossing for Moultrie to finish past Dominican Republic GK Paloma Pena for a 1-0 lead.
A debut goal for Olivia Moultrie marks the first goal in W Gold Cup history! pic.twitter.com/P1OIl3sR5f
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 21, 2024
Lynn Williams then found the back of the net for a 2-0 lead in the 30’ thanks to another great run into the area by Purce, who got her second assist of the match.
Getting her third assist of the night, Purce sent a long low ball from outside the area in the 59’ into Moultrie, who was well-positioned in front of the Dominican goal to score her first senior brace, giving a 3-0 advantage to the USWNT.
After a VAR revision, the referee Astrid Gramajo awarded a penalty kick to the U.S. after Dominican DF Brianne Reed committed a foul in the area on Jaedyn Shaw in the 86’. DF Jenna Nighswonger was confident in taking the ball and putting it in the back of the net, scoring her first international goal for the Stars and Stripes and a 4-0 advantage.
Reed committed a foul again trying to stop an attack from FW Trinity Rodman in the 90'+3. The referee awarded back-to-back penalties and FW Alex Morgan converted for the fifth goal of the evening.
After getting their first three points and first win, the USWNT will take to the Dignity Health Sports Park pitch once again against Argentina, while the Dominican Republic will look to get their first goals against Mexico on Friday evening.
