LISBON, Portugal (Nov. 8, 2018) – The U.S. Women’s National Team won its 500th game in program history by defeating an organized and physical Portugal side, 1-0, to move its record to 17-0-2 on the year. Forward Jessica McDonald scored the game’s lone goal near the end of the first half, her first for the USA.
The USA had most of the possession throughout the match, but Portugal was extremely solid defensively, consistently putting seven or eight players in its defensive third and the USA could only manage one goal on the night despite several good chances to extend its lead in the second half.
The WNT’s breakthrough came in the 42nd minute when McDonald scored her first international goal on a hard-working play in the box where she followed her shot to score the rebound given up by Portugal goalkeeper Patrícia Morais in her second career cap.
Up Next: The U.S. WNT heads north for a second European friendly where Women’s World Cup-bound Scotland awaits on Nov. 13. The match at The Simple Digital Arena in the Glasgow suburb of Paisley will kick off at 2 p.m. ET and be broadcast on FS1 and UDN.
Social: Follow the #USWNT on Facebook; Twitter (@ussoccer_wnt; @ussoccer_esp); Instagram and Snapchat (ussoccer_wnt).
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Jessica McDonald, 42nd minute: The USA struggled to break down an organized Portugal defense, but finally breached the bunker after Dunn got free down the right flank via a pass from Mallory Pugh. She bent a hard cross in on the ground to the crashing McDonald who hit her first shot well but right at the 'keeper. A Portugal defender tried to clear the ball, but McDonald blocked the clearance back into the net for her first career goal. USA 1, POR 0. FINAL. WATCH GOAL.
Additional Team Notes:
Additional Player Notes:
– U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Portugal
Date: November 8, 2018
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Estadio António Coimbra da Mota; Estoril, Portugal
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local)
Attendance: 980
Weather: 57 degrees; clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
POR 0 0 0
USA – Jessica McDonald 42nd minute
Lineups:
USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 25-Emily Fox (10-Carli Lloyd, 63), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 19-Crystal Dunn; 6-Andi Sullivan (22-Danielle Colaprico, 46), 16-Rose Lavelle (8-Julie Ertz, 82), 9-Lindsey Horan; 11-Mallory Pugh (2-Emily Sonnett, 73), 21-Jessica McDonald (13-Alex Morgan, 46), 15-Megan Rapinoe (capt.)
Substitutes not used: 24-Ashlyn Harris, 3-Sam Mewis
Head Coach: Jill Ellis
POR: 12-Patrícia Morais; 5-Matilde Fidalgo, 4-Sílvia Rebelo, 15-Carole Costa, 2-Mónica Mendes; 17-Vanessa Marques, 11-Tatiana Pinto (13-Fátima Pinto, 86), 14-Dolores Silva (capt.); 16-Diana Silva, 18-Carolina Mendes (6-Adreia Norton, 63), 20-Jéssica Silva (10-Ana Leite, 86)
Substitutes not used: 1-Inês Pereira, 22-Rute Costa, 3-Diana Gomes, 7-Vânia Duarte, 8-Laura Luís, 9-Ana Capeta, 19-Ana Santos, 21-Monique Gonçalves, 23-Telma Encarnação
Head Coach: Francisco Neto
Stats Summary: USA / POR
Shots: 13 / 13
Shots on Goal: 5 / 4
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 13 / 15
Offside: 4 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Andi Sullivan (caution) 31st minute
POR – Jéssica Silva (caution) 48
USA – Crystal Dunn (caution) 69
Officials:
Referee: Rebecca Welch (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Sian Massey (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Helen Byrne (ENG)
4th Official: Vanessa Gomes (POR)
Budweiser Woman of the Match: Abby Dahlkemper