The USA have beaten the Football Ferns 4-0 in their friendly in Wellington.<\/p>\n
It was 0-0 at half time, but the world number one ranked side then opened up the game after the break, showing their class against a New Zealand team missing many of the experienced players.<\/p>\n
A record crowd of more than 12,000 watched the Football Ferns hold off the highly fancied world champions in the first 45 minutes with some solid defence, while the USA looked a little rusty.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t until the 19th minute that the Americans had their first shot on goal and it needed the foot of keeper Erin Nayler to keep it out.<\/p>\n
Ten minutes later Nayler was helped by the woodwork from a long shot from winger Margaret Purse.<\/p>\n
They had the ball in the back of the net just before the break but Lindsay Horan was ruled off-side from a free kick.<\/p>\n
No score at half time represented a good performance by the Ferns who had little possession.<\/p>\n
The USA obviously wanted to up the tempo in the second half and the chances started to come thick and fast.<\/p>\n
Seven minutes in and Mallory Swanson headed in a cross to put the visitors on top.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In the 60th minute, veteran US forward Alex Morgan then showed the skill that has made her a finalist for world player of the year, turning and shooting past Nayler.<\/p>\n
Swanson then got her second from a superb long pass and she rounded the keeper to score.<\/p>\n
The wave of attacks continued and the depleted Ferns side were holding on as best they could.<\/p>\n
Their defence was opened up and if it hadn’t been for some lack of control in the penalty box the score could have been a lot higher.<\/p>\n
The Americans had made a number of substitutions by now and newcomer Lynn Williams headed home their fourth in the 75th minute.<\/p>\n
The Ferns two most experienced players were the standouts with captain Ali Riley tireless in defence and midfielder Betsy Hassett the inspiration for their limited attacks.<\/p>\n
The visitors had the speed and the skill across the park, but Purse led the way with her regular runs into the New Zealand defence.<\/p>\n
Ferns coach Jitka Klimkova started the most experienced side she could, with captain Riley leading the side out in her 148th international.<\/p>\n
Just three other players, Erin Nayler, Betsy Hassett and Anna Green have more than 40 caps, while defender Grace Neville made her debut.<\/p>\n
Most of the bench did manage to get some valuable game time in the second half.<\/p>\n
The USA started many of their World Cup stars including captain Becky Sauerbrunn, Alex Morgan, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle.<\/p>\n
The second game is at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SOURCE -RNZ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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