It was a pretty good night in Colorado for the Chicago Red Stars as the U.S. women’s national team beat New Zealand 3-1. [**Julie Ertz**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/dve5pao9dmobh167wb8g45g45) bagged a brace in the first half. [**Sofia Huerta**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/dwwgrimn3ddecp5kllvsdga8l) made her first appearance as a member of the USWNT and earned her first assist in the second half.Huerta entered as a sub in the 51st minute, just a day after her change of national association request was granted by FIFA. She previously played for Mexico at the U-20 National Team level. Huerta’s assist came on Orlando Pride forward [**Alex Morgan**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/l28lqh3f3ojx6kk2wvvq6nyt)’s 75th international goal and the final goal of the game. Huerta, playing at right back for the USWNT, sent a cross from the right wing to Morgan in the box on the left. The reigning NWSL Player of the Month cut around her defender and hit a left-footed shot to the near post to give the U.S. a 3-1 lead. [Empty Body] Ertz scored twice in a span of eight minutes in the first half. Her first goal in the 16th minute put the U.S. up 1-0 and came off a corner kick that was eventually headed in Ertz’s direction by Portland Thorns FC midfielder [**Lindsey Horan**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/6ywkny98b9qzuvhqxwn9l0ogl). Ertz flicked it into the back of the net for her tenth career goal and Horan’s tenth career assist. [Empty Body] Ertz’s second goal came in the 24th minute after a 15 pass sequence by the United States culminated with a [**Megan Rapinoe**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/29vjl1iba9rz14yd1g9qi4pn9) (Seattle Reign FC) header that went off the post. Ertz was in the right spot for the rebound, and hammered it home to put the U.S. up 2-0. [Empty Body] Three NWSL players were in the starting XI for New Zealand: [**Rosie White**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/bkflu3s5t6fuasx2blzwp4jit) (Boston Breakers), [**Katie Bowen**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/86xqmp60672vnqn7wbsgbr07p) (FC Kansas City) and [**Rebekah Stott**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/92faf40oeermdhlvh8k482vo5) (Seattle Reign FC). New Zealand forward **Hannah Wilkinson**, who had scored the last three goals for New Zealand vs. the U.S. coming into the game, scored in the second half to pull New Zealand within a goal before Morgan reclaimed the two goal lead. Sky Blue FC defender [**Kelley O’Hara**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/7qw3tekwnmsv6i4u3i0qcpjv9) wore the captain’s armband in her 100th international appearance. She captained the game alongside her Stanford teammate **Ali Riley**, who is New Zealand’s captain. [Empty Body] Colorado natives Horan and [**Mallory Pugh**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/dkk9sopglpjgnopxcxkn65gid) (Washington Spirit) both started in front of their home fans on Friday night. The United States and New Zealand will meet again in Boston Breakers midfielder [**Rose Lavelle**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/4j3kopvvd3iej6p4h9z36giqd)’s hometown of Cincinnati on Tuesday night.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights