Republic of Ireland outclassed again by USA

The United States cruised to a 4-0 victory against an under-strength Republic of Ireland at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.

In the second friendly between the two sides in four days, captain Lynn Biyendolo volleyed home the opener and Isabela Rodriguez scored a debut goal to give the hosts a comfortable half-time advantage.

Yazmeen Ryan added the third with her first goal for her country in the 66th minute, with substitute Alyssa Thompson firing home a late fourth.

Once again without rested captain Katie McCabe, and the injured Megan Campbell and Denise O'Sullivan, among a host of other regular starters, the Republic found it tough in the Ohio heat as they suffered a second successive 4-0 defeat against Emma Hayes' side.

The USA have now won all 17 of the meetings between the two sides, with the Republic of Ireland failing to score in 16 of those fixtures.

Hayes had the luxury of changing her whole starting 11 from Thursday's win in Denver, while Carla Ward made just four due to the depleted nature of her squad.

The visitors made a positive start and had an early half-chance with Anna Patten heading wide from Chloe Mustaki's free-kick after three minutes.

But the USA's opener arrived on 11 minutes with their first clear-cut chance as Emma Sears crossed for Biyendolo, who met the delivery with a cushioned volley inside the box.

Ward's side were then forced to defend deep in their own half as the hosts created a number of chances.

Croix Bethune curled an effort off-target from outside the box while Ryan steered the ball over the crossbar from a similar position in which Biyendolo scored.

In a rare foray forward at the other end, Saoirse Noonan slipped in Kyra Carusa, who shot wide with a first-time effort from a tight angle.

Three minutes before half-time, Rodriguez doubled the USA lead, reacting quickest to slot home after Courtney Brosnan had palmed Sears' shot into her path.

There was no let-up from Hayes' side after the break, as Brosnan denied Biyendolo, Sears blasted over the bar and Olivia Moultrie shot wide - all three chances coming after Irish errors.

Brosnan then pushed away Moultrie's free-kick, before the hosts' persistent pressure paid off as they netted a third in the 66th minute.

Moultrie drove into the box and picked out Ryan to sweep home at the near post.

The busy Brosnan produced another strong save to deny Emily Sams, but she was powerless to prevent Thompson firing home from close range four minutes from time.

The Republic of Ireland will now look ahead to their Nations League play-off against Belgium in October, where they will hope to have a host of their regular starters back fit.