Explained: Why USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey was wearing Becky Sauerbrunn's No.4 jersey during 2-1 win against China

The USWNT came from behind to beat China 2-1 in a friendly in Texas. Coffey, who took over Sauerbrunn's No. 4 shirt for the game, curled home a fine equaliser to net her first international goal for the Stars and Stripes. Jaedyn Shaw then followed up with the winner on her first-ever USWNT start to make it a good night for Twila Kilgore's side.

There was no Sauerbrunn in the USWNT squad for the game, with the veteran defender missing out alongside other big names such as Alex Morgan, Alyssa Naeher, and Crystal Dunn. Interim coach Kilgore instead went for a youthful roster for the two friendlies with China. The absences allowed Coffey to take on the No. 4 shirt, although she also admitted after the game she had asked the long-time captain for permission.

Coffey told Fox Sports: "I would never pick it without addressing Rebecca! So I reached out to her and I was like, ‘Hey, would you mind if I wore this? I’d love to just honor you and channel your energy. Obviously, Becky is my teammate, but she's also a hero of mine and someone I look up to. I told her after the game, ‘This means that you scored an international goal.’ And she was like, ‘Oh, is that how it works?’"

Coffey is the fifth different player to score her first USWNT goal in 2023. The last year more players scored their first goal was in 2013 (6).

The two games against China have allowed the USWNT to experiment with new players and different combinations ahead of a busy 2024. The team will play in the inaugural W Gold Cup in February and at the Paris Olympics. Current Chelsea boss Emma Hayes will also take charge of the side at the end of the season after seeing out her current deal with the Blues.