USWNT celebrates victory in international friendly against Chile.  Anusha Singh / Daily Nexus

The United States women’s national soccer team faced off against Chile on a historic night in Santa Barbara. In their first ever international match on California’s Central Coast, Harder Stadium welcomed a crowd of 14,797 fans in a dominant 5-0 win. This is the second consecutive win for the United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT) this week, after a 6-0 win against Paraguay on Jan. 24. 

The match began with the U.S. team instantly dominating possession and creating early opportunities. The first shots taken came from forward Jameese Joseph which Chile goalkeeper Ryann Torrero handled well. The next close opportunity came from forward Emma Sears, who expertly volleyed the ball that soared low and square into the left post. Following that, with an incredible assist from defender Ayo Oke in her debut start, USWNT newcomer and midfielder Croix Bethune scored the first goal for the U.S. 

At just the 18 minute mark, breaking across the field with only the goalkeeper in front of her, Bethune was able to score the first goal of her international career. The successive kick-off came with another near miss from Sears, with the ball bouncing off the exact same post she had previously hit. 

The USWNT’s second goal came in the 26th minute when Joseph landed the first goal of her international career, in her first ever start with the national team. Fully facing away from the goal, Joseph was able to whirl past Chile’s defense for a goal shot from the boundary of the penalty box. The USWNT finished the first half strong as captain and defender Emily Sams scored from straight up the middle with an assist from Sears, also boasting her first international career goal. Sears tried for another U.S. goal, but was blocked by Torrero.

 The USWNT was up 3-0 heading into the second half with a commanding start, playing nearly the entire first half on offense and scoring three first-time goals in international games. 

Subbing in at the top of the new half, 19-year-old defender Jordyn Bugg went in for Oke, and coming into the second half of the game, the U.S. had 12 shots on goal. Only 28 seconds into the second half, they secured another. Sears sent a ball into the top right corner of the net, with Torrero unable to reach, making it 4-0 USWNT. 

At the 53 minute mark, Bethune earned a free kick and, stifling another offensive breakout, Chile’s defensive team and goalkeeper were able to stop the scoring. Following this, a quintuple substitution from Head Coach Emma Hayes brought on forward Trinity Rodman for Kate Wiesner. 

The USWNT brought it home with the fifth and final goal, which came in the second half by Rodman finding space amongst Chile’s defense, zipping one into the back left and sealing the dominant victory for the USWNT. Directly following her goal, Rodman celebrated by dancing with Hayes, underscoring the energy brought into the game by the U.S. 

The game concluded with no extra time at the end of the second half and with no further attempts on goal by Chile, giving the USWNT their second consecutive win this week.