Emily Spreeman’s Four Goals Pace U.S. Deaf WNT to 8-0 Win vs. Japan in World Championships Opener

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Sept. 23, 2023) – The U.S. Women’s Deaf National Team got off to a strong start at the 2023 DIFA Women’s World Deaf Football Championship, defeating Japan 8-0 at UNPM Stadium on Saturday. The match was the first for the USWDNT as an Extended National Team under the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Striker Emily Spreeman led the way, registering four goals and another two assists to pace the USA in its tournament opener. Casey King collected two goals and an assist, while Faith Wylie and Sydney Andrews also found the back of the net to help push the USA to the top of the table after Matchday 1.

In the day’s other match, Turkey defeated England 2-0 at Kompleks Sukan, while Poland sat idle.

Because there are five teams in the group, the USWDNT sits idle during Matchday Two on Monday, Sept. 25 and will next face Turkey on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Kickoff from UNPM Stadium in Kuala Lumpur is set for 4:30 a.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local) and will be streamed live the Malaysia Deaf Sports Association’s YouTube Channel.

WATCH: USDWNT 8, Japan 0 | Sept. 23, 2023

GOAL SCORING SUMMARY:

USA – Faith Wylie (Casey King), 11^th minute: Casey King dispossessed a Japan defender on the right and quickly crossed for Faith Wylie who hit a low, one-time effort from the top of the box to open the scoring. USA 1, JPN 0

USA – Emily Spreeman (Faith Wylie), 14^th minute: Wylie pounced on a missed clearance at the back and centered the ball for Spreeman who slotted it home from close range. USA 2, JPN 0

USA – Casey King (Emily Spreeman), 17^th minute: Spreeman broke in down the left and centered for King whose left-footed effort from the penalty spot skipped through the hands of the Japan goalkeeper. USA 3, JPN 0

USA – Sydney Andrews (Gracie Fitzgerald), 24^th minute: The USA found a fourth of a well-played set piece as Sydney Andrews powerfully nodded home Gracie Fitzgerald’s driven corner kick from the left. USA 4, JPN 0

USA – Emily Spreeman (Paris Price), 25^th minute: After Kate Ward’s forward pass was deflected in the air by a Japan midfielder, Paris Price cleverly flicked the ball into space to put Spreeman into the box alone where she calmly finished past the goal goalkeeper. USA 5, JPN 0

USA – Casey King (Emily Spreeman), 35^th minute: Erin Cembrale dribbled through the midfield and laid off a pass for Cressy on the left. Spreeman centered for King who buried her second of the match. USA 6, JPN 0

USA – Emily Spreeman (Gracie Fitzgerald), 52^nd minute: Fitzgerald ran on to a well-played pass on the left Paige Beaudry and centered for Spreeman who chested it down before poking home with her right foot to complete the hat trick. USA 7, JPN 0

USA – Emily Spreeman (Sophie Post), 65^th minute: Sophie Post did well to settle Nikki Kohen’s lobbed cross into the box, laying a pass back for Spreeman who blasted a left-footed effort into the top left corner for her fourth of the match. USA 8, JPN 0. FINAL.

- U.S. WOMEN’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT -

Match: USA Women’s Deaf National Team vs. Japan
Date: September 23, 2023
Competition: 2023 DIFA Women’s Deaf World Football Championships
Venue: UPNM Stadium; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kickoff: 4:30 a.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local)
Weather: 86 degrees, overcast

Scoring Summary:    1          2          F         

USA                             6          2          8         
JPN                             0          0          0

USA – Faith Wylie (Casey King)                               11^th minute
USA – Emily Spreeman (Faith Wylie)                     14
USA – Casey King (Emily Spreeman)                     17
USA – Sydney Andrews (Gracie Fitzgerald)        24
USA – Emily Spreeman (Paris Price)                     25
USA – Casey King (Emily Spreeman)                      35
USA – Emily Spreeman (Gracie Fitzgerald)           52
USA – Emily Spreeman(Sophie Post)                     65                       

Lineups:

USA: 21-Payton DeGraw, 2-Kate Ward (capt.) (22-Nikkie Kohen, 46), 3-Paige Beaudry, 5-Gracie Fitzgerald, 8-Erin Cembrale (6-Mia McMurry, 46), 10-Emily Spreeman, 11-Sydney Andrews (capt.), 14-Paris Price (16-Emily Neff, 69), 17-Mia White, 18-Faith Wylie (4-McCall Madriago, 46), 23-Casey King (12-Sophie Post, 61)

Subs not used:  1-Taegan Frandsen, 7-Sabina Shysh, 9-Ani Kachadourian, 13-Ashley Derrington, 15-Beth Barbiers, 24-Holly Hunter,

Head Coach: Amy Griffin

JPN: 1-Miwa Ito, 4-Shihoko Okami, 6-Mana Oryoji, 7-Shoko Nakasone, 9-Nanami Sugimoto, 10-Ayaka Kujuro, 11-Oka Takagi, 12-Yoko Matsukawa

Subs not used:  none

Stats Summary: USA / JPN                        

Shots: 23 / 0
Corner Kicks: 10 / 0

Misconduct Summary:

None

Officials:

Referee: Munirah Ha Ali

Assistant Referee 1: Nurul Hafizah Nuruddin

Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Kirst

Fourth Official: Amirul Zamil Abd Jamil

RA: Muhammad Rahmat Jantan

About Deaf Soccer

Deaf soccer is contested by deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. Under international criteria, players must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their better ear. Hearing loss below this level has been shown to negatively impact hearing. All players competing in deaf matches must remove all hearing aids before playing.

For more information on the sport or to inquire about athlete eligibility, please contact U.S. Soccer's Extended National Teams Department via email at extendednt@ussoccer.org.