After signing with Manchester City earlier in the month, U.S. Women’s National Team defender Abby Dahlkemper made her Manchester City debut on January 31, playing the full 90 minutes in City’s 4-0 win over West Ham United. Dahlkemper, who led the USWNT in minutes in both 2019 and 202, signed with the English side on January 16 and completed 91 percent (111 of 122) of her pass attempts in her first competitive action with the club, while also helping hold West Ham to just one shot attempt on the day.
On the attacking end, Dahlkemper’s U.S. teammate Rose Lavelle marked her return with a goal in the 71st minute, capitalizing on a misstep by a West Ham defender just minutes after entering the match and coolly finishing from close range. Lavelle’s goal was her first in FA Women’s Super League play and her third in all competitions for Manchester City, with both previous strikes coming during the Continental Cup. Samantha Mewis was unavailable for Manchester City while recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the USA’s 6-0 win over Colombia on Jan. 22.
WATCH: Lavelle Nets Her First Goal in League Play
A first #BarclaysFAWSL goal for @roselavelle! 👏
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) January 31, 2021
The City midfielder is on the scoresheet after only being on the pitch for a matter of minutes. pic.twitter.com/qc2rmoimkV
Lavelle was not the only World Cup winner with the scoring touch on Sunday as Christen Press added the insurance goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Everton. Press returned to the starting lineup and made her presence felt, leading all players with three shots on target. In the 42nd minute, Press slipped in behind the Everton backline and held off challenges by two defenders before slotting home with her left foot to double Manchester United’s lead. The goal was her second in FA WSL play and her first since a 4-2 victory over West Ham on October 18. Tobin Heath was unavailable for Manchester United and is expected to be out for 10-12 weeks while recovering from an ankle injury sustained while training with the club in January.
WATCH: Press Provides Insurance Goal
🇺🇸⚽Things we love to see at https://t.co/u3Zn3Qkatz HQ:@USWNT's @ChristenPress doubling the lead for @ManUtdWomen in the #BarclaysFAWSL! pic.twitter.com/dz4twxtN7E
— Ata Football (@atafball) January 31, 2021
Manchester United are now second in the FA WSL standings, sitting level on points with Chelsea though the Blues have a game in hand. United will face Reading on Sunday, Feb. 7, while Manchester City, now third in the table, squares off against fourth-place Arsenal later that day.
Alana Cook (Paris Saint-Germain) and Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais) were both named to the 2021 SheBelieves Camp Roster and could see action later this week with their respective clubs.
Information for the upcoming matches involving USWNT players is listed below. All times listed are ET.
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Friday, Feb. 5 |
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Alana Cook |
Fleury 91 vs. Paris Saint-Germain |
10:00 a.m. |
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Saturday, Feb. 6 |
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Catarina Macario |
Olympique Lyonnais vs. Montpellier |
9:15 a.m. |
ESPN+ |
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Sunday, Feb. 7 |
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Christen Press |
Manchester United vs. Reading |
7:30 a.m. |
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Abby Dahlkemper, Rose Lavelle, Samantha Mewis |
Arsenal vs. Manchester City |
9:30 a.m. |
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