The USWNT returned to action for the first time in 2023 with a matchup with New Zealand at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. The fixture set an attendance record for a New Zealand Women’s National Team match in Wellington, with 12,508 filling the arena. From a Spirit perspective, it was a frustrating start to the match as only former Spirit players, Rose Lavelle, Mallory Swanson (formerly Pugh) and Crystal Dunn were in the starting lineup.
Given the travel, that NWSL preseason camps are even a week or two away, and this being the team’s first action since November 13 versus Germany, rust was expected.