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While one might have expected to see the
four-times champions lean on a reliable set of starters,
Andonovski instead tossed onto the pitch a starting eleven who
had never played together, outside of practice.
Their performance did not leave much room for complaint, save
for a handful of squandered chances at the net, as 22-year-old
Sophia Smith recorded a first-half brace in her World Cup debut
for the four-times champions.
"They've never been on the field together in a game scenario for
one minute and to see some of the connections and some of the
some of the combinations that they were able to do was very
positive," Andonovski told reporters.
Smith also helped the Americans to a third goal with a superb
assist in the 77th minute to co-captain Lindsey Horan, who
knocked it into the net.
Midfielder Savannah DeMelo, meanwhile, showed poise in her first
international start, and 23-year-old defender Naomi Girma
"looked like she has three world cups behind her," Andonovski
said.
"I don't want to say 'relief' or 'surprise'," said Andonovski.
"I wholeheartedly (believed) that these players are capable of
doing what they did."
Andonovski, who also put 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson on as a
late substitute, said that the playing time will pay major
dividends as the tournament progresses.
"I do also believe that going into game two, they will go a
little more encouraged, less nerves, no stress," said Andonovski.
That mentality will be valuable against their next opponent, the
Netherlands, whom they defeated in the 2019 final. They are
widely expected to be the toughest team the Americans face in
Group E. They meet on Thursday.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in Auckland; editing by Robert Birsel)
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