COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 1, 2018) – The U.S. Women’s National Team opened its 2018 SheBelieves Cup run with a strong 1-0 win against No. 2 FIFA-ranked Germany in front of 14,591 fans on a cold, rainy Thursday night at MAPFRE Stadium. The win against Germany was the USA’s third in as many SheBelieves Cup appearances, with the WNT previously defeating the Europeans 2-1 in the inaugural 2016 tournament and 1-0 in 2017.
Germany had some good opportunities early in the game, putting USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher to work often. However, it was the USA that found its groove and struck first. Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring with a nice finish on an Alex Morgan assist in the 17th minute for the 1-0 lead early in the half.
In the second frame, the USA controlled the match from the get-go, pushed forward and outshot Germany 9-3, shutting the European side out and closing the match with a win and an important three points ahead of its next game of the tournament.
Earlier today, England dominated France 4-1, scoring three goals in the first half, and adding one in the second to establish a new SheBelieves Cup record for most goals scored in a single game. France pulled one back late in the second half to avoid being shut out. The win was only England’s second against France since 1974, with the first coming last summer at the UEFA Women’s Euros in the Netherlands.
Next, the U.S. WNT travels to Harrison, N.J. for the second leg of the SheBelieves Cup at Red Bull Arena, home of MLS’s New York Red Bulls. The USA will kick off against France on Sunday, March 4 at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2, while Germany faces England at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN3.
2018 SheBelieves Cup Standings
|
Team |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts. |
|
England |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
+3 |
3 |
|
USA |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
3 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
|
France |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
-3 |
0 |
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Megan Rapinoe (Alex Morgan), 17th minute: Alyssa Naeher’s long service made it to Alex Morgan, who was stationed just past midfield. Her tiny flick split the Germany backline and rolled towards the goal. Rapinoe outran her defender and beat Almuth Schult to the ball before hitting a shot between the German goalkeeper’s legs into the back of the net. USA 1, GER 0. WATCH. FINAL.
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Additional Notes:
– U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Germany
Date: March 1, 2018
Competition: SheBelieves Cup
Venue: MAPFRE Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: 14,591
Weather: 37 degrees; mixed rain/snow, windy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
GER 0 0 0
USA – Megan Rapinoe (Alex Morgan) 17th minute
Lineups:
USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 22-Taylor Smith, 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 17-Tierna Davidson, 5-Kelley O’Hara (2-Casey Short, 79); 8-Julie Ertz (21-Savannah McCaskill, 72), 9-Lindsey Horan, 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.) (6-Morgan Brian, 65); 11-Mallory Pugh (12-Lynn Williams, 90+1), 13-Alex Morgan (20-Allie Long, 90+4), 15-Megan Rapinoe (16-Emily Sonnett, 86)
Substitutes: 3-Andi Sullivan, 14-Sofia Huerta, 18-Jane Campbell, 19-Crystal Dunn, 23-Christen Press, 24-Ashlyn Harris
Head coach: Jill Ellis
GER: Germany: 1-Almuth Schult, 3-Kathrin Hendrich, 4-Leonie Maier (23-Hasret Kayikci, 76), 5-Babett Peter (8-Lena Goeßling, 54), 10-Dzsenifer Marozsan (capt.), 11-Alexandra Popp, 13-Sara Däbritz, 16-Linda Dallmann (20-Lina Magull, 68), 17-Verena Faißt, 19-Svenja Huth, 22-Tabea Kemme
Substitutes: 12-Laura Benkarth, 21-Carina Schlüter, 2-Johanna Elsig, 7-Jacqueline Klasen, 9-Mandy Islacker, 14-Anna Blässe, 15-Sara Doorsoun, 26-Sharon Beck, 27-Lea Schüller
Head coach: Steffi Jones
Stats Summary: USA / GER
Shots: 14 / 7
Shots on Goal: 4 / 2
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 6 / 13
Offside: 0 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
GER – Alexandra Popp (caution) 75th minute
GER – Tabea Kemme (caution) 83
Officials:
Referee: Melissa Borjas (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Shirely Perello (HON)
Assistant Referee 2: Yudilla Briones (MEX)
4th Official: Karitza Guerra (HON)
Budweiser Woman of the Match: Alyssa Naeher