The United States women kicked off their World Cup Victory Tour with a 3-0 win over Ireland in front of a rowdy crowd in Pasadena, California, on Saturday night.
Fresh off a World Cup-winning campaign in France this summer — adding a fourth crown to the Americans’ trophy case — the U.S. wasted no time taking an early lead when Tobin Heath connected with a Christen Press cross at the back post to head the hosts in front.
Lindsey Horan doubled the U.S. lead in the 31st minute, ghosting in for another back-post goal to tap home with another assist going to Press and Carli Lloyd heading in a third to send Jill Ellis’ team into halftime with a 3-0 lead.
The scoreless second half was fairly uneventful for the U.S., but Ellis — who announced she would be stepping down as coach after the Victory Tour — drew applause more than once with substitute moves like Rose Lavelle coming on and for Lloyd when she was withdrawn from the match.
The U.S. continues its five-game tour with a match against Portugal on Sept. 3 at Allianz Field in Minnesota.