Sophia Smith of the United States takes a shot at goal as Louise Quinn defends. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)Republic of Ireland lost 2-0 to the USA in the first of two friendly internationals, played in front of a sell-out 20,593 crowd in Texas.
Louise Quinn saw her header from a Katie McCabe corner cleared off the line and after the keeper Alyssa Naeher needed two attempts to deal with a cross, Ireland had three successive shots on the US goal blocked.
But it would be the hosts with the breakthrough, as Emily Fox found the bottom corner from 20 yards in the 37th minute.
The US continued their strong spell despite having Mallory Swanson carried off with a serious knee injury, until a breakaway move saw Heather Payne cross for Kyra Carusa to head home but from an offside position.
Trinity Rodman missed a clear chance to double the lead and moments after had her header saved by Courtney Brosnan, who also scrambled to turn a deflected Rose Lavelle effort round the post.
Lindsey Horan made it 2-0 in the 79th minute from the penalty spot, Brosnan getting a hand on it but only pushing the ball into the roof of the net.
Louise Quinn wins a header against the United States during the second half. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)Ireland nearly got a late consolation, as Louise Quinn was narrowly wide and McCabe lifted a high bouncing ball into the six yard box that had to be tipped over the bar.
The teams meet again on Tuesday 11 April at Citypark, St Louis, Missouri. KO 00:30 (UK time), live on RTÉ2.
Other international friendly results for Saturday 8 April:
Paraguay 1-0 Ecuador
Luxembourg 2-1 Faroe Islands
Ghana 3-0 Senegal
Azerbaijan 0-1 Türkiye
