PORTLAND, Oregon (March 30, 2019) – The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 in its third and final match at the 2019 Thorns Spring Invitational. Midfielder Channing Foster dramatically scored the game-winner in the first minute of second half stoppage time.
The young Americans went 2-1-0 at the friendly tournament, falling to Reign FC 2-1 on March 24 and defeating the host Thorns 1-0 on March 30.
Chicago tallied first, scoring in the 14th minute through Australian striker Sam Kerr. Former Santa Clara University star and Mexico National Team player Maria Sanchez slipped a through ball up the middle to Kerr, who cut in from the right behind the U.S. back line and just inside the penalty area. She took a few touches into the box before slotting the ball past onrushing U.S. goalkeeper Amanda McGlynn and into the right corner.
The USA equalized in the 29th minute through defender Emily Fox, who has seen time with the senior National Team over the past few months, earning three caps. Fox picked off a pass in her own defensive third, played it to midfielder Savannah DeMelo and then continued her hard run up the middle.
DeMelo returned the ball to Fox in the attacking third and the defender cut to her right at the top of the penalty box before hitting a right-footed wonder strike into the top right corner of the net from about 20 yards out.
The last few minutes of the match featured plenty of drama. With time ticking down, Chicago earned a penalty kick and Nikki Stanton stepped up to take what could have been the game-winner in the 89th minute. Instead, U.S. goalkeeper Laurel Ivory, who came on at halftime for McGlynn, dove to her right to push the ball away. Less than two minutes later, the USA got its winner.
The game flipped when Foster, who plays at the University of Mississippi, stole the ball from a defender and dribbled to the left from the top of the penalty box, evading several Red Stars in the process and then shot from just inside the box. The left-footed strike skipped into the lower right corner for the final goal.
This year marked the U-23 WNT’s third straight year playing in the Thorns Spring Invitational.
-U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team Match Report-
Match: United States U-23 Women’s National Team vs. Chicago Red Stars
Date: March 30, 2019
Competition: 2019 Thorns Spring Invitational
Venue: Merlo Field - University of Portland; Portland, Oregon
Attendance: 75
Weather: 62 degrees, sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 1 2
CRS 1 0 1
CRS – Sam Kerr (Maria Sanchez) 14th minute
USA – Emily Fox (Savannah DeMelo) 29
USA – Channing Foster 90+1
Lineups:
USA: 22-Amanda McGlynn (1-Laurel Ivory, 46), 3-Meaghan Nally (19-Schuyler Debree, 32), 5-Kaleigh Riehl, 2-Maycee Bell (15-Naomi Girma, 58), 4-Emily Fox (capt.) (11-Kiki Pickett, 73), 6-Jaelin Howell (24-Channing Foster, 69), 16-Savannah DeMelo (8-Brianna Pinto, 58), 23-Kirsten Pavlisko, 17-Martha Thomas (10-Catarina Macario, 46), 18-Penelope Hocking (13-Ally Watt, 32) (14-Morgan Weaver, 73), 9-Ashley Sanchez (21-Emina Ekic, 73) (25-Paula Germino-Watnick, 90)
Subs Not Used: 7-Jenna Nighswonger, 20-Haley Hopkins
Head Coach: Damon Nahas
CRS: 21-Emily Boyd (16-Alison Jahansouz, 75), 3-Arin Wright, 27-Christina Murillo (30-Hannah Davison, 63), 14-Sarah Gorden, 23-Brooke Elby (28-Kayla Sharples, 46), 2-Nikki Stanton, 25-Erin Yenney (32-Zoey Goralski, 59), 12-Yuki Nagasato, 20-Sam Kerr (33-Katie Johnson, 59), 4-Alyssa Mautz (capt.) (7-Michele Vasconcelos, 57), 15-Mara Sanchez
Subs Not Used: N/A
Head Coach: Rory Dames
Stats Summary: USA / CRS
Shots: 8 / 6
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 3 / 7
Fouls: 15 / 16
Offside: 0 / 5
Misconduct Summary:
CRS – Christina Murillo (caution) 61st
USA – Channing Foster (caution) 80