By james art 
The United States, the national football team of women, celebrates after Lynn Biovendol scored the first goal within the first 42 seconds of the match against Australia Sunday at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale. (Photo by Emma Janson/Kronkite News)
Glendale – US national team coach Emma Hayes brought 10 players to the Shebelieves Cup, who has never played a match in the prestigious tournament.
And four of her 10 players have never stepped on the field in the international race, even in a friendly.
Nevertheless, American women will play for gold in the Shebelieves Cup for the ninth time in the 10-year history of the event after winning 2-1 over Australia on Sunday at the State Farm Stadium.
The United States, which faces Japan on Wednesday at San Ragon Stadium in San Diego in the match that will decide the Cup, came out of winning Colombia in Houston. In this match, Hayes pulled out a completely different starting lineup than in Glendale.
Everything was in line with the USWNT strategy to grow the team and the game via the Shebelieves Cup.
“The goal of the camp was to deepen play pools by providing opportunities for less experienced players in high -pressure situations,” Hayes said. “So I think we have achieved this by playing everyone in our team in these first two games.”
Just 60 seconds in the match, US striker Lynn Beyendolo put one past Australian goalkeeper Tagan Mika, then the game slowed down and Hayes began to implement his plan.
Three of the four players who made their international debuts in this tournament have made a significant influence against Aussies.
Fans descended at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale Sunday to watch the US national football team play Australia in the Shebivos Cup. (Photo by Emma Janson/Kronkite News)
Midfather Claire Hutton received his first international start on Sunday and not disappointed.
At the age of 18, Hutton was charged not only to attack, but also to defend some of the best midfielders in the world.
Although there is only one shot in the door throughout the match, Hutton showed why he is one of the bright young stars internationally and in the National Football League.
“Claire grew into the game,” Hayes said. “But like anyone, she is 18 years old and this is a pre -season and this is her first international cap. So I felt that 60 minutes was the right way to manage it and I was very pleased with it because I know how much it meant to her. “
Hutton said that although it was her first international match, she doesn’t feel nervous. She added that most of her teammates are the same age and play in the same scenario as she is.
“It’s cool to look at the left and right and know that some of these girls are in exactly the same position as me, young and new in this team,” Hutton said. “It’s soothing and it’s nice to be with them.”
At halftime, Hayes began to make several replacements, making even more than his younger players, including Michelle Cooper, who also made his debut on Shebelieves Cup.
Hutton and Cooper are teammates in Kansas City the flow of NWSL and have been playing together in USWNT development camps and programs for years.
Like Hutton, Cooper has not been overwhelmed since. Just six minutes in the second half, Cooper put a ball in the back of the net to extend the US lead to 2-0.
“I felt absolutely surreal and I somehow blacked out,” Cooper said.
While victory is the best goal in sports, the tournament is for young players on the pitch and the stands.
Striker Michelle Cooper scored his first goal in an international match for the United States while playing in the Shelis Cup. The United States won 2-1 against Australia. (Photo by Emma Janson/Kronkite News)
“I think it is exciting to see that we have all these young players who have so much potential and to know that Emma trusted us to go into this camp and make a difference is huge,” Cooper said. “But let’s know what we can do in a few years because we are all so young is super exciting.”
With some of the more experienced players for the squad, other veterans had to go up to mentoring players. Beyendol took on this role for the team.
“Every time they have a question, every time they have to worry about something, I will be here,” Beendolo said. “I’m a sounding board.
“They were very professional and very focused and diligent about what they were doing and was cool to see. Many of them came from youth (football) together, so they have each other. “
Lily Johannes and Giselle Thompson made their debut at Shebelieves Cup this year and leaned against Biyendolo’s leadership.
Johannes is only 17 years old and made his debut in the opening glass against Colombia.
“(I) I’m just trying to be myself, I continue to develop the game and I hope I can inspire young girls and boys and anyone who looks at me,” Johannes said.
The 19 -year -old Thompson made her first start to USWNT with her sister Alice against Australia. They are just the second sisters who start together a USWNT game.
Luke Johannes, Giselle sees himself as a role model that can inspire the next generation of players, which is what the Shebelieves Cup aims to achieve.
“Only as a younger player in this team shows that when you are young, you can do whatever you want or whatever you put your mind, nothing is impossible,” said Thompson.