The Republic of Ireland suffered their second defeat in four days to the USA in the early hours of Wednesday morning as they went down 1-0 in St Louis.
Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan will not want to see too many replays as her error handed Alana Cook a 26th birthday present two minutes before half-time as she scored her first international goal.
Cook’s hopeful ball from 45 yards out left the backpedalling Brosnan floundering and although she managed to get fingertips to the ball, she could only follow it over the line.
Ireland, who play hosts Australia in their opening World Cup match on July 20, had created opportunities before falling behind to the world champions.
Lucy Quinn twice had a chance from Katie McCabe crosses but after falling behind, they rarely looked like getting back on terms.
Defender Becky Sauerbrunn came close to a first international goal on her 216th appearance for the US when she hit the bar, having been honoured in a ceremony in her hometown for reaching 200 caps.
The US had beaten Ireland 2-0 in the first of two meetings on Saturday, a match which saw striker Mallory Swanson tear a patellar tendon in her left knee which is likely to keep her out of their defence of the World Cup.
They will face Wales in San Jose, California, on July 9.
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