USWNT vs Portugal (2nd Matchday)
Back to winning ways. Thursday was just a blip. Olivia Moultrie is the future. Had us all going crazy in Connecticut with that brace. Yet another prime example of how well Emma Hayes has managed to steadily usher in a new generation of stars at the USWNT. And even though the 2027 World Cup is still a long ways away, there’s a sense that we’ve got a strong base that can guide us to glory once that tournament rolls around. For now, these type of friendlies are the perfect way to continue to nurture this squad that fills us with hope.
Photography by: Brandon Koodish
The U.S. Women’s National Team responded in emphatic fashion Sunday afternoon, defeating Portugal 3–1 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut — a confident rebound from their stunning 2–1 loss earlier in the week.
At just 20 years old, Olivia Moultrie once again proved why she’s considered one of the brightest young talents in American soccer. The Portland Thorns midfielder scored twice in the opening ten minutes, setting the tone for a U.S. side that looked sharper, hungrier, and more cohesive than it did three days prior.
It took less than a minute for Moultrie to make her mark. Charging onto a loose ball at the top of the box, she drilled a left-footed strike into the corner — her first of the afternoon and the 22nd first-minute goal in USWNT history. Portugal equalized moments later through Jéssica Silva, whose glancing header found the far post to level the match 1–1.
But Moultrie wasn’t done. In the 10th minute, she finished off a beautifully constructed sequence that began with Lily Yohannes’ lofted pass and Jaedyn Shaw’s audacious backheel assist, restoring the U.S. lead and sending the crowd of more than 20,000 into celebration.
From there, the U.S. dictated the tempo. The young lineup — averaging just over 19 international caps — controlled possession, pressed smartly, and moved the ball with purpose. Head coach Emma Hayes, who made eight changes to her starting XI from Thursday’s loss, praised her team’s composure and creativity.
“Positionally and attacking-wise, we were much better,” Hayes said post-match. “The response, the control, the composure — that’s the standard we want to set.”
The second half brought more U.S. dominance but no breakthrough until substitute Sam Coffey sealed the win in the 82nd minute. Meeting an Ally Sentnor corner on the bounce, Coffey rifled home her fifth international goal — a fitting finish for the Portland Thorns duo, both central to the club’s NWSL success this year.
The match carried added meaning beyond the scoreboard. Before kickoff, U.S. Soccer honored Connecticut native Alyssa Naeher, the legendary goalkeeper who officially retired from international duty after winning both a World Cup (2019) and Olympic gold (2024). She remains the only U.S. goalkeeper ever to record shutouts in both a World Cup and Olympic final.
The win marked the ninth of the year for the USWNT, and more importantly, a moment of growth for an evolving roster blending seasoned veterans with the next generation. Hayes’ young side looked energized — not rattled — by adversity.
“It was a good lesson from the last game,” Hayes said. “The details matter, but so does the response. And today, we got that right.”
The U.S. will close its October window on Wednesday in Kansas City, facing New Zealand at CPKC Stadium — another chance for a rising group to continue defining the next era of American women’s soccer.
