April 4 (2015)

Lori Chalupny makes a triumphant homecoming with a second-half goal that sparks the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 4-0 win over New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up at Busch Stadium. A total of 35,817 fans — a  then-record crowd for a USWNT stand-alone friendly match in the United States — sees the United States dominate play, but lead only 1-0 as the match nears the midpoint of the second half. Chalupny, inserted into the game in the 57th minute at left back, moves up as Megan Rapinoe prepares to take a corner kick to the left of the New Zealand goal in the 75th minute. Rapinoe sends the ball to Lauren Holliday, who gives the ball back to Rapinoe near the end line. Holliday points to Chalupny. Rapinoe passes into the space ahead of Chalupny, who meets the ball and left-foots it into the top near corner of the net. Chalupny will later describe the goal as “not overly significant for the team but one that I will never forget.” She had been an integral part of the USWNT until U.S. Soccer decided in 2010 that she no longer could play on the team because of concussion after-effects. Reinstated to the team in late 2014 — she continued to play professionally in the interim, and was widely regarded as one of the best players in the NWSL — she will be a member of the 2015 World Cup champions. The goal against New Zealand will be the second-last of Chalupny’s USWNT career. She will score against Mexico in the USA’s 5-1 win in a friendly on May 17. Chalupny will retire in late 2015 with 106 caps, the most by any player, male or female, in St. Louis soccer history. Becky Sauerbrunn, who starts at center back against New Zealand, will surpass Chalupny’s total in 2016. Sauerbrunn and the USWNT will play Ireland at CityPark on April 11 in a warmup for the 2023 World Cup.