Kyra Carusa has said that playing up front with Emily Murphy has been ‘enjoyable’ and ‘you can’t ask for more than that’.
The Kansas City Current forward was speaking after playing a pivotal role in Ireland’s victory over Poland on Saturday.
Carusa left everything out there on the Aviva turf, so much so that she had to be withdrawn in the second half due to a head injury, “I’m good, it’s kind of a jolting experience when you get hit like that” Carusa explained. “But all good and I’ve been checked through, thank god we’ve got a brilliant medical staff.”
The forward continues to be one of Ireland’s most consistent performers, ever the reliable option from which Carla Ward rarely waivers. Following the victory, the Ireland star spoke to the media and The Halfway Line was present to hear from her.
Carusa says playing up front with Murphy is ‘very enjoyable’
A pivotal part of Ireland recent upturn in performances has been the budding partnership up front between Carusa and Newcastle striker Emily Murphy. Two tenacious strikers with an elite level of hold up play and an eye for goal, but Carusa says it is their differences that make their partnership so effective,
“Em [Emily Murphy] and I have had our mix in with playing in multiple different matches” Carusa said. “But I’d say that you have a relationship with other strikers. I think what’s great about Em is that we recognise what we’re very good at.
“We recognise what the other one has and is maybe more keen to do. And that’s so important with any relationship with anyone on the field, which is understanding what your good at and what they’re good at, playing into that and playing off each other.
“When she does something, it makes me better, and when I do something, it makes her better. The goal comes from a build up from myself and to her, and that ball down the line, and we get it back across.
“I get a shot on goal, and Marissa’s in the box [to score]. You can’t ask for anything more than that. It is very enjoyable [playing with Emily]” Carusa concluded with a smile.
After picking up a yellow card Murphy will be suspended from Ireland’s next match against Netherlands in Cork. Not only that but the taliswomanic Denise O’Sullivan will also be suspended, Carusa was asked to explain the impact that could have,
“We will absolutely have to dig into our depth” Carusa admitted. “But I think about the game in Poland and circumstances, like myself and other players, might need to step into positions in key moments to pull results, be that mature player, even Abbie Larkin on the field for the last 15 minutes closing out a game. That’s really really important.
“We have depth and we have players who can step into those roles and have that maturity so, yeah, I look forward to what that can look like for us. Yeah, massive losses but we have depth here.”
Kyra Carusa labels back to back victories a ‘job well done’
On Saturday, Ireland became the first side to start a League A campaign in pot four and go on to win two matches, not only that but securing back to back victories against top quality opposition. Carusa was asked for her assessment of the window,
“Job well done” Carusa reflected with a modest smile. “It’s a long window, there was a lot of build-up into it, I think back to just a few years ago when we were playing the home and away against Sweden and they were such pivotal games and how we felt when we came out of that window.
“We felt, ‘Oh we are that close, we are that close’ and even the last the last window, it was ‘Oh we are that close, we are that close’. We are no longer that team, we are building, we don’t want to be that close, we want to finish it out.
“I think it was huge for us today, more than just the game and the result but big moments, where you are in the match, how many minutes are left, transitional moments, just that maturity amongst the team, it was great to see that from everybody.”
Carusa delights in ‘phenomenal’ build up to the opening goal
The Ireland striker has become an almost ever present for Ireland under Carla Ward and for good reason. Her hold up play, endeavour and intelligence in attack were evident from the off on Saturday and led to the winning goal.
Carusa started the move with a brilliant cushioned header before she ghosted into space in behind while striking a dangerous cross-come-shot on the turn that Poland were unable to deal with. Carusa, vital to the victory spoke about how Poland played to Ireland’s strengths at times,
“Again the build up [for the goal] for us was phenomenal” Carusa explained. “Which is good to see because we want to be a ball playing team, you could see Poland was giving us the opportunity to be a ball playing team and kind of saying ‘Hey, if you want to be that kind of team, then show us what you can do?’
“That was a perfect moment that ended in a goal but there were also moments that showed that. But again, yeah, it’s so important as a striker if you bop the ball off in midfield [and] get in the box.”
Kyra Carusa states importance in ‘recognising great performances’
Victory came in large part due to a mature performance from Ireland, to go a goal ahead and manage the match. Kyra Carusa was asked about how that maturity has built in national team squad of late and has contributed to the side’s ability to deal with big pressure moments,
“It’s interesting and that doesn’t just happen instantaneously” Carusa extolled. “I couldn’t tell you a moment where it’s like this happens, and it changes, but slowly and surely, it’s a contagious feeling amongst players.
“It’s camaraderie. It’s the belief. It’s exposing players to big moments and big minutes. And then making good decisions, and then us recognising great performances, recognising players in that capacity. And I really think that’s something we’ve built over the last campaign since the World Cup. I really love to see that amongst us.”
Kyra Carusa talks about ‘great’ Kansas City but admits ‘it’s very different’
Ireland’s number 18 signed for HB Køge in the winter transfer window but was quickly loaned out to Kansas City Current for the start of the NWSL season. The native of San Diego impressed while training pre-season with the 2025 NWSL shield winners and she told The Halfway Line about how she is getting on down by the river in Teal Town,
“Yeah, it’s different” Carusa said nodding her head, accompanied by a magnetic laugh. “I feel like I actually haven’t been there very often. We started up in January and we’ve had two camps away. We had pre-season back in California, so you’re on the move a lot and that’s been a lot.
“Overall it’s been great. The club and the programme is phenomenal. We are really well taken care of. And that’s so important as a player to feel that you’re in an environment where you’re challenged to get better.
“You’re playing against the best teams and in a team coming off [being] the best in the NWSL. Being in that environment, I feel part of something that’s making me better and showing me more. Kansas City is different from San Diego, though. Very different!” Carusa concluded in her familiar charisma infused candour.
