USA vs. Argentina live score, updates, result as Girma scores first two USWNT goals on Lavelle’s 100th cap

The U.S. women will look to go a perfect three-for-three this month as they wrap up the October international break with a matchup against Argentina from Louisville on Wednesday evening.

A pair of 3-1 victories over 13th-ranked Iceland provided a solid foundation for the month, as Emma Hayes balances getting the regular starters minutes with each other alongside filtering in young talent.

Goals from veterans Sophia Smith, Lindsey Horan, and Lynn Williams in those two matches were also punctuated by first international goals for young Alyssa Thompson and Emma Sears.

Now against 33-ranked Argentina, the U.S. will hope to close up some gaps that developed in their two games against European opposition before the massive December international window which brings a pair of highly-anticipated games against England and the Netherlands.

The Sporting News is following the USA vs. Argentina friendly live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

USA vs. Argentina live score Score (2H)Goal scorersUSA3Girma (37′, 49′),
Cometti (44′, OG)Argentina0–Location: Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, KY)
Kickoff: 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:05 p.m. PT

Starting lineups:

USA (4-3-3, right to left): 21. Haught (GK) — 8. Mace (Fox, 61′), 22. Gaetino (Sams, 70′), 4. Girma, 25. Malonson (Krueger, 70′) — 16. Lavelle (Albert, 47′), 19. Hershfelt, 10. Horan (Swanson, 61′) — 26. Sears, 15. Shaw, 2. Sanchez.

Argentina (5-4-1, right to left): 1. S. Pereyra (GK) — 14. Roggerone, 2. Sachs, 6. Cometti, 13. Braun, 3. Martin — 15. M. Pereyra (Signarella, 87′), 5. Preininger (Nigito, 87′), 16. S. Dominguez (Troncoso, 73′), 10. Ippolito (Szymanowski, 62′) — 9. K. Nunez (Y. Rodriguez, 62′).

MORE: Find out how to stream the USWNT vs. Argentina match live

USA vs. Argentina live updates, highlights from friendly87th min: Two more changes for Argentina as Marciel Pereyra and Vanina Preininger come off, replaced by Chiara Signarella and Anela Nigito. Preininger looks to be holding her right hand in a good deal of pain.

82nd min: A gorgeous U.S. free-kick from Jaedyn Shaw is looped up over the wall but doesn’t quite have the bend to get it back down on target. Not too far off the top-left corner though.

77th min: Ashley Sanchez who has been bright today, sends a curling shot on goal with her right foot but it loops right into the goalkeeper’s bread basket.

75th min: The U.S. are piling up the set pieces, giving Naomi Girma every opportunity to get forward in search of a hat-trick. Humorously, Julie Foudy argues that Girma should shove teammates out of the way to get to every ball sent into the area.

Argentina goalkeeper Solana Pereyra is down and needs treatment but appears to be able to continue. Could just be fatigue or cramps.

70th min: This game has devolved a bit, as both sides look content to see it out from this point on. Emma Hayes makes a pair of defensive changes, as Casey Krueger and Emily Sams will enter to replace Alyssa Malonson and Eva Gaetino. Naomi Girma stays out there in search of an improbable hat-trick.

Argentina also makes another change as Sofia Dominguez is replaced by Carolina Troncoso.

61st min: The hour mark brings multiple changes for the USWNT as Lindsey Horan is replaced by Mal Swanson, and Hailie Mace gives way to Emily Fox. Horan hands the armband, deservingly, to Naomi Girma.

Argentina make corresponding subs, as Yamila Rodriguez enters the match in place of young Kishi Nunez, while Marianela Szymanowski takes over for Dalila Ippolito.

56th min: Chance, USA! Ashley Sanchez dazzles on the dribble as she slices through from the left flank all the way to the top of the six-yard box, and she forces a big save out of Solana Pereyra, but the flag goes up for offside all the way back on Lindsey Horan’s short vertical ball to spring the chance.

49th min: GOAL! USA! YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS! NAOMI GIRMA HAS ANOTHER!

Her first may have come from a defensive mistake, but this one’s absolutely brilliant! A header from no less than 12 yards out, she loops a perfectly-placed ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net! Give Alyssa Malonson the assist after she brought down a big switch and put her defender in a blender to create the opening. Still, this one’s all about the exquisite finish.

It took Naomi Girma 42 matches to score her first USWNT goal.

Her second came 12 minutes later 💥💥

Watch USA vs. Argentina live on TNT, truTV and Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/jdkMwrjCAW

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 31, 20242nd half kickoff: They’re back under way in Louisville as the USWNT hopes to close out the October international break with a strong second half performance.

There were no changes for either side to begin the second half, but after just a minute, Emma Hayes will recall Rose Lavelle so she can get her applause she so deserves for 100 international caps. Korbin Albert comes on in her place, and gives Rose a “we’re not worthy” bow as the veteran comes off the pitch with a huge smile.

HALFTIME: USA 2-0 Argentina

It was complete and utter domination from the United States, who lead 2-0 over Argentina at the break. Almost the entirety of the opening 45 minutes were played in the Argentina half, and Naomi Girma gets her first international goal in a well-deserved moment.

There were still a few things to improve on, as Lindsey Horan’s offside infractions on set-pieces were frustrating, and some young players looked a bit jittery, but still plenty of positives. Emma Sears was electric down the right, and Hal Hershfelt was efficient in distributing possession.

44th min: GOAL! USA! The U.S. are 2-0 up as an own-goal by Argentina captain Aidana Cometti off a USWNT corner doubles the lead! Naomi Girma again plays an integral role on a set-piece, as her header to the front of goal forces the mistake.

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 31, 202437th min: GOAL! USA! NAOMI GIRMA HAS HER FIRST INTERNATIONAL GOAL! If anyone deserved one for the USWNT, it’s the best defender in the world!

It comes on a mistake by Argentina at the back, but she’ll take it regardless. The U.S. have a dead-ball opportunity as Lindsey Horan is scythed down from behind while charging forward into the attacking third, unlucky not to draw the game’s first booking.

For the third time, it’s floated in towards the far post for Horan — it’s too deep, but when Solana Pereyra comes off her line, she instead collides with a teammate. The ball ends up unclaimed on the pitch three yards from goal, and Girma crashes into the back of the net with a huge smile!

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 30, 202431st min: Chance, USA! Lindsey Horan is again caught offside on a set-piece as a central delivery is dropped in a bucket for her at the right post, but not only does she lash at the ball and miss horribly, but the flag also nullifies the chance regardless of the finishing quality.

Being caught offside once is a fluke, but twice is a problem, especially on set pieces. This one in particular was wasteful in a number of ways.

25th min: The U.S. quite clearly earned what would have been their fifth corner of the match, as a shot by Ashley Sanchez takes a clear deflection over the line, but a goal kick is given to the disappointment of the home crowd in Louisville.

19th min: Rose Lavelle continues to lurk in dangerous areas, and a fizzed low cross by Emma Sears is just behind the centurion who got free at the top of the six-yard box with a late run.

17th min: Chance, USA! The hosts work Argentina goalkeeper Solana Pereyra for the first time as a deep delivery into the six-yard box forces her to come off her line for a big punch, and the recycled ball in is just inches over the head of Emma Sears. The move started with a great one-two for Jaedyn Shaw in the middle.

The U.S. has completely dominated possession, as you’d imagine, and have played almost exclusively in the Argentina half.

9th min: Chance, USA! The U.S. has the ball in the back of the net but it’s flagged for offside to nullify the first goal! Sofia Dominguez yanks down Eva Gaetino to concede a foul near midfield.

The free-kick is sent in to Lindsey Horan at the left post, and her header is nodded across to Rose Lavelle at the opposite end who pokes it home, but what would have been a fitting opener is chalked off.

4th min: Getting a look at the USWNT lineup, it appears that they are still in the traditional 4-3-3, with Hal Hershfelt in a holding midfield role with Horan and Lavelle in a pivot above her. Ashley Sanchez is wide left, which is new, with Emma Sears wide right and Jaedyn Shaw through the middle.

Kickoff: They’re under way in Louisville! The result will be important, as the USWNT will want to emerge victorious over an inferior opponent, but Rose Lavelle is the woman of the hour, and tonight will be about her 100th cap.

Of course, Rose brought her dog, Wilma Jean Wrinkles. Which is…just perfect.

Congrats on 100 caps, Wilma! @roselavelle pic.twitter.com/r0qvWNOf1M

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 30, 2024USA vs. Argentina: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more15 mins to kickoff: The USWNT will wear the blue and red kits tonight for this match! That likely means Argentina will wear their white pinstripe kits.

30 mins to kickoff: With three debutants tonight for the USWNT in Mandy Haught, Eva Gaetino, and Alyssa Malonson all in the XI, it’s the first time the senior side has handed out three debuts in one starting lineup since March 7, 2001 against Italy.

The three debutants that day in a 1-0 loss in Europe were Marcie Ward, Devvyn Hawkins, and Joanna Lohman, none of whom would reach double-digit caps in their USWNT careers.

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 30, 202445 mins to kickoff: The Argentina XI is now confirmed, and it features a number of young up-and-coming stars. Kishi Nunez is the most notable amongst them, as the 18-year-old has garnered plaudits for her performances up front with Boca Juniors. She also starts alongside fellow teen Sofia Dominguez of club rival River Plate who slots into midfield.

— CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina (@LibertadoresFEM) October 19, 20241 hour to kickoff: The USWNT lineup is in. We knew Emma Hayes would rotate the XI, but maybe not to this extent. There are only three regular starters in from the start — Naomi Girma, Lindsey Horan, and centurion Rose Lavelle.

Ashley Sanchez, a former regular who lost her place after the 2023 Women’s World Cup, gets a look in midfield, which hints at a possible 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 with Louisville player Emma Sears up front. Mandy Haught is the third goalkeeper deployed this window as all three shot-stoppers get a look. Haught is one of three debutants with Eva Gaetino and Alyssa Malonson.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: While the likes of Alyssa Thompson and Emma Sams got their first international goals this break, one new star who has yet to register one of her own is Yazmeen Ryan. She got a debut in the first win over Iceland before starting the second game, and with rotation likely tonight, she could be in line for another spot in the XI. Lineups due shortly.

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 30, 20241 hour 30 mins to kick: Emma Hayes has constantly preached how thankful she is for her position as USWNT head coach, and she continued to beat that drum ahead of tonight’s match.

A major transition from the comfortable to the unknown can be daunting, but fortunately Emma’s building her home with us. Together. pic.twitter.com/XtjAenR78q

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 30, 20241 hour 45 mins to kick: Today is expected to be Rose Lavelle’s 100th international cap, right on the heels of Emily Sonnett’s century mark just days ago against Iceland.

Lavelle has been an integral part of much of the USWNT’s success in the past decade, most notably at the 2019 Women’s World Cup where some (aka myself) would argue she should have won the Golden Ball award over Megan Rapinoe. Still just 29, Lavelle should remain a key part of the squad for at least the current World Cup cycle if not more, as long as she can stave off increasingly worrying knee issues.

“I think this is like so cool for us to be able to play in Louisville.”@USWNT midfielder and Cincinnati native Rose Lavelle ahead of tonight’s match against Argentina at Lynn Family Stadium. @RacingLouFC pic.twitter.com/9zQTFxPmSC

— Paul Miles (@PaulMiles840) October 30, 20242 hours to kickoff: Emma Hayes was recognized with the highest honor in women’s football coaching on Monday at the Ballon d’Or gala, winning the Women’s Coach of the Year award, minted for the first time as the Johan Cruyuff Award. It was a hugely prestigious victory for the new USWNT boss who was recognized largely for her influence in leading the United States to Olympic gold earlier this summer.

Emma Hayes our Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy winner got a message for you! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/diaujscmaP

— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024USA vs. Argentina kickoff timeThis international friendly kicks off from Lynn Family Stadium on Wednesday, October 30 at 7 p.m. local time in Louisville.

Here’s how that time translates across the time zones in North America:

 DateKickoff timeEastern TimeWed, Oct. 307 p.m.Central TimeWed, Oct. 306 p.m.Mountain TimeWed, Oct. 305 p.m.Pacific TimeWed, Oct. 304 p.m.USA vs. Argentina lineups, team news, starting 11Squad rotation has been key for Emma Hayes in a rare international window with three matches. The likes of Mallory Swanson, Sam Coffey, Emily Sonnett, and Jenna Nighswonger started both matches against Iceland, and therefore all four are rotated out here.

A few key regulars are missing from this USWNT camp as they either recover from injuries or manage their minutes. The most notable absence is Trinity Rodman, who is only just returning from a back injury for her club Washington Spirit and gets some extra rest over the international break.

Crystal Dunn, now 32 years old, has been out of club action this month due to personal reasons and will not appear, while her Gotham teammate Tierna Davidson is also missing due to a hamstring injury.

USA starting lineup (4-3-3): Haught (GK) — Mace, Gaetino, Girma, Malonson — Lavelle, Hershfelt, Horan — Sears, Shaw, Sanchez.

USA subs (12): Naeher (GK), Murphy (GK), Nighswonger, Sams, Sonnett, Fox, Krueger, Coffey, Albert, L. Williams, S. Smith, Swanson.

MORE: Player ratings from the second USA vs. Iceland friendly that finished 3-1 to the USWNT

As Argentina head coach German Portanova looks to review his options at a number of positions, there are a host of young guns on this 20-player roster. 25-year-old Solana Pereyra will likely get the look in goal, with 41-year-old Vanina Correa having retired in the summer.

Full-back Marina Delgado is out injured and had to withdraw from the squad, while 34-year-old defender Miriam Mayorga has also retired. 

Argentina starting lineup (5-4-1): Roggerone, Sachs, Cometti, Braun, Martin — M. Pereyra, Preininger, S. Dominguez, Ippolito — K. Nunez.

Argentina subs (8): Chaves (GK), Nigito, Gimenez, Y. Rodriguez, Szymanowski, Troncoso, Holzheier, Singarella.

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