USA 2-0 Wales: Trinity Rodman's late double gives world champions friendly victory
- Published
Watch highlights as two goals from Trinity Rodman secures victory for the USA
Wales were beaten 2-0 by USA in their friendly in San Jose as Trinity Rodman's late double secured victory for the world champions and World Cup favourites.
Gemma Grainger's side threatened to claim a famous draw as they frustrated the Americans for long spells.
But Rodman struck twice in 11 minutes to give USA a deserved victory.
This was a ninth straight USA win as they prepare to defend the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
But their pre-tournament send-off game was not as comfortable as many had anticipated it might be.
Wales were missing some key players - including captain Sophie Ingle and Jess Fishlock, who was ruled out through injury - yet they emerged with considerable credit following a determined defensive display.
The Americans, who left Megan Rapinoe on the bench but included a host of star names, will go into their World Cup opener against Vietnam in 13 days' time in confident mood as they look for a third successive triumph in the tournament.
But having missed out on World Cup qualification in the European play-offs, Wales can take heart from a courageous performance in front of a sell-out crowd at the 18,000-capacity PayPal Park as they continue their quest to reach a first major championship.
Wales offered little as an attacking force in California but kept the team ranked number one in the world at bay until 21-year-old Rodman swept in 14 minutes from time.
Substitute Rodman, daughter of former basketball star Dennis Rodman, then produced a classy second to wipe out any hope of a Welsh revival.
Trinity Rodman's goals secured a ninth straight win for USA, after a run of three successive defeats last autumn
A landmark occasion for Wales
This was a landmark fixture in the history of Wales' women's side, who had never previously played outside Europe.
The fact they were asked to provide the opposition in the USA's pre-World Cup farewell was recognition of the recent progress made in the Welsh game.
Wales boss Grainger had insisted that this most demanding of friendlies was the right challenge for her team ahead of the inaugural Nations League.
Wales are in a difficult group alongside Germany, Denmark and Iceland, with six matches to come between September and December.
They will hope to have all their key players available come the autumn, with their cause in California not helped by the absence of Chelsea midfielder Ingle, who was suspended, and the injured Rachel Rowe.
There was a further blow when Fishlock, Wales' most-capped player and a star of the American club game, was ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up playing for OL Reign.
Fishlock had hoped to turn out for her country just 45 hours after Reign's NWSL fixture at Orlando Pride but played no part after limping out of that match.
Rodman ends Welsh resistance
The USA were without some star names too, but that did not stop the four-time World Cup winners taking charge of possession and territory from the outset.
Yet for all their control, Vlatko Andonovski's team were frustrated by a Wales side who looked determined to make an impression on this grand stage.
Wales lacked composure in possession, meaning they spent most of the contest on the back foot.
But their defensive organisation and endeavour smothered the hosts' imposing forward line until the closing stages.
Wales centre-back Hayley Ladd makes a vital intervention to deny Alyssa Thompson a run through on Olivia Clark's goal
Wales goalkeeper Olivia Clark made only one first-half save, from Lindsey Horan's header, with Alyssa Thompson slashing the ball wide from a tight angle and Ashley Sanchez heading over after losing her marker at a set-piece.
The home side should have gone ahead when Emily Fox crossed from the right just after the hour, but 18-year-old Thompson lifted the ball wastefully over the bar from point-blank range.
Alana Cook thought she had found the opener as she met Savannah DeMelo's corner with a goalbound header, but Kayleigh Green was on hand to clear off the line.
Just as Wales began to look capable of claiming a memorable draw, Sophia Smith burst in behind Grainger's rearguard and crossed for Rodman to guide the ball home with Clark stranded.
Washington Spirit forward Rodman's second was a sparkling finish, as she steered the ball high into the corner of the net from 20 yards.
Wales manager Gemma Grainger:
"I think we can be pleased for so many reasons. We talked before the game about the players that we don't have on the pitch and we wanted to find out if we had players that could step in.
"That was most important for us for the Nations League and we do have players that can step in.
"We are a team that are away from home playing against the world champions and I am standing here disappointed that we lost 2-0.
"For us as a team we are focused on qualifying for a major tournament. This game felt like we were playing in a tournament - they played their strongest team.
"We knew coming out here in their last game before the World Cup was going to be a special occasion.
"There are not many places where you feel this atmosphere and we want to wish the US the very best at the World Cup."