By Harry Awurumibe, Head, Abuja Bureau
Reigning World Champions, United States of America Women’s National Team (WNT) cannot stop winning even with the change of the coaching cadre as the Yankeesin the early hours of today (Monday) thrashed Costa Rica 6-0 in another international friendly match.
USA had just three days ago also defeated Sweden 3-2 in the first international match under a new Head Coach, Vlatko Andonovski who took over from ex-veteran Head Coach, Jills Ellis on November 7 only to play his maiden game 24 hours later and came out unscathed.
Like the first match, USA top stars again came to the party today against hapless Costa Ricans who even conceded own goal in the melee caused by the American attackers. Substitute player, Lynn Williams hit a brace with goals coming in the 50th and 68thminutes respectively.
But it was old war-horse, Carli Lloyd who opened scores for USA in the 4th minute and Morgan Brian adding the second goal in the 10th minute just as the floodgate of goals opened in the second half when four goals from Williams (2 goals); Christen Press (56th min) and own goal (OG) by Costa Rican Stephannie Blanco in the 86th minute completed the massacre.
Earlier on, USA 3-2 victory over Sweden which was the first game the team will play under the new helms man (Vlatko) saw veterans Lloyd scoring a brace in the 6thand 31st minutes while Press added one in the 28th minute.
With the two victories within a short space of one week, Coach Vlatko has hit the ground running and showing that he is the right man for the vacant job thus justifying the choice of the officials of the US Soccer Federation who preferred to hire someone who has a clear understanding of the US football culture.
Vlatko Andonovski, born on 14, September, 1976 is a Macedonian-American soccer coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the United States women’s national soccer team. He replaced the highly successful Ellis who won two FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy with USA.
