China’s Steel Roses finally score against USWNT before hometown heroine Jaedyn Shaw steals show
- Shen Mengyu’s goal just before half-time for China’s women’s footballers is the first conceded by United States since their first match of the World Cup in July
- But Shaw, who grew up close to the stadium in Texas, extends her side’s unbeaten run
China’s women’s footballers finally forced the United States to concede a goal, but the Steel Roses lost again in the second of the sides’ two friendly matches.
Nobody had scored against the Americans since their first match of the World Cup, a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in July – with even their unexpected last-16 exit from that tournament coming via a penalty shoot-out with Sweden following a goalless draw.
After seven full matches since, Shen Mengyu’s goal for China ended that streak just before half-time on Tuesday in Frisco, Texas, only for the hosts to recover to prevail 2-1.
The ageing US squad who fell short at the global tournament in Australia and New Zealand have lost Megan Rapinoe to retirement with others expected to follow, while other experienced names were rested for this fixture.
And it was a couple of the newer faces who claimed the goals at Toyota Stadium, Sam Coffey scoring her first at international level and Jaedyn Shaw her second.
They also have a new head coach incoming, in Emma Hayes, after she finishes the Women’s Super League season with Chelsea, with Twila Kilgore holding the fort until then as interim coach.
China, too, are in rebuilding mode under an interim boss, having handed the reins to Wang Jun after dismissing Shui Qingxia.
Shui’s downfall was sealed by a chastening few months in which her side flopped at the World Cup and then in the Olympic qualifiers.
They suffered a humiliating exit from the former, confirmed by a 6-1 trouncing by England. It was the first time the Steel Roses had been eliminated before the knockout stages of a World Cup in which they had appeared, and represented the latest fall from grace for a team who had for years ruled Asia and been capable of living with the best on the planet.
China also lost to Japan in the semi-finals of the Asian Games on home soil in October.
Shen was among the younger players given some exposure during that World Cup, and it was she who made the breakthrough on Tuesday when the Chinese went ahead from a rare attack.
Yan Jinjin’s free kick to the back post from the left corner flag eluded US goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, and when Wang Siqian headed it back across goal, Shen found herself with a straightforward tap-in.
Ranked third in the world to their opponents’ 15th, the Americans equalised in the 62nd minute when China failed to clear a corner and Coffey bent a shot past Xu Huan.
“It was just one of the best moments of my life,” Coffey said later. “I’ve worked my whole life for moments like these and to share them with this team is just a dream come true.”
Shaw’s moment – on her first start and in her hometown – came in the 79th minute, when she followed up to drive past Xu.
“I love being here in this stadium, and I have so many memories here,” said the 19-year old, who grew up blocks from the ground and had about 50 relatives and friends in the stands. “I’m just so happy to be able to play here at this level and play on this team.”
Having also won the first friendly in Fort Lauderdale 3-0 last Saturday, the Americans’ narrower second win in their final match of 2023 ensured they completed a difficult year with the small consolation of going undefeated in open play.
