Pauw: USA performance a measure of Ireland's progress

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says the manner of her team's defeat to World Cup holders USA is a measure of the upward trajectory of the Girls in Green.

A 2-0 away defeat to the number one ranked side in the world was far from a humbling. Indeed, the visitors were left to rue some missed opportunities in Austin.

A long-range strike by Emily Fox saw the hosts lead 1-0 at the break, while Lindsey Horan’s penalty with 11 minutes remaining, after her jersey was pulled by Diane Caldwell, sealed the friendly win at Q2 Stadium.

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Ireland however had their chances. Kyra Carusa headed what she thought was an equaliser, but she was just offside from Heather Payne’s cross, and only some last-ditch tackling in the area by the hosts ensured a clean sheet.

All in all, Pauw was encouraged by what she saw.

"What I said to the group is that I’m really proud because we were aiming to make a huge step in our development, and huge compliments to all the players in the way they did that," she told RTÉ Sport.

With Ireland retreating, Fox opened the scoring, something Pauw felt the team could have addressed earlier.

Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw says the performance against the USA was a sign of the progress they are making as a team pic.twitter.com/iDNzwu9oBY

"It started with the long balls we were giving them. Then you give the momentum away. If one person is not quick enough.

"I think it was more our mistake that we were not on the same sheet to keep playing the way we