CHICAGO (Oct. 6, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Team closed out the 2019 Victory Tour presented by Allstate with a 1-1 draw against Korea Republic before a crowd of 33,027 on a picture-perfect afternoon at Soldier Field. Carli Lloyd scored as Jill Ellis, the USWNT’s recently minted all-time winningest head coach, drew the curtain on her remarkable tenure as manager of the world’s No. 1 ranked team.
After earning a 2-0 win against Korea in the teams’ previous meeting three days prior in Charlotte, N.C., the USWNT sought to send Ellis off with a final victory but found itself in the unusual position of playing from behind.
In the 34th minute, Ji So-Yun hit a low drive from just outside the top of the box to give Korea the initial advantage, but only a minute later, the USA nearly leveled matters when Megan Rapinoe played a smart set-piece short into the box for Crystal Dunn who’s shot was blocked out for a corner kick. Rapinoe whipped the corner from the right flag to the back post where Lloyd out jumped her defender to bury a header in the far left-side netting. The equalizer was her team leading 13th goal of 2019 and a preview of what could have been a memorable winner.
The USA had chances in the first half as Rose Lavelle headed a perfectly measured Tobin Heath cross just over the bar in the 11th minute, and Julie Ertz, for the second match in a row, was denied the opening goal by the woodwork when she blasted a left-footed drive off the right post in the 26th. The two near-goals seemed to awaken the visitors, who raised their energy level and physical play, earning them multiple cautions and a brief lead.
The USA played a much better second half, taking the game to the Koreans, but the physical play continued as did the USA’s frustrations with the woodwork. Substitutes Jessica McDonald and Mallory Pugh were both denied late when their headed shots struck the goal frame as the USWNT offense pushed even harder for a game-winner after Korea’s Son Hwa-Yeon was sent off in the 84th minute for a second bookable offense.
It seemed that Lloyd had bagged the winner deep into added time as she timed her run perfectly to tap in a cross at the back left post. Although the assistant referee’s raised flag indicated what would have been the winning goal would be ruled offside, it couldn’t dampen the jubilant mood in the stadium as the fans waved goodbye to the world champions as the players and their legendary coach took a lap of honor as the 2019 Victory Tour came to a close.
Next on the Schedule: The WNT wraps up its 2019 schedule with a pair of November matches – the first against rival Sweden at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Nov. 7 (7:30 p.m. ET; FS1, TUDN). The USA’s final match of the year against Costa Rica is scheduled for Nov. 10 in Jacksonville, Fla. at TIAA Bank Field (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2, TUDN).
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USA – Carli Lloyd (Megan Rapinoe), 37th minute: The USA won a corner kick via a crafty set piece that put Crystal Dunn in on goal only to see her shot blocked at the last moment. From the resulting corner, Megan Rapinoe swung a cross to the back right post where Carli Lloyd rose highest to send a header back across the face of goal into the left-side netting. USA 1, KOR 0 [WATCH] FINAL
With the draw, the USWNT is 10-0-3 all-time vs. Korea Republic, which is currently ranked No. 20 in the world.
USWNT head coach Jill Ellis finishes her remarkable career with a 106-7-19 overall record, having coached 132 international games, more than any USWNT coach in history.
Before today’s result, Ellis closed out her career with a 17-game win streak, the longest of her tenure at the helm of the USWNT.
She went undefeated in World Cup qualifying and World Cup games (23-0-1). Most impressively, Ellis never lost a World Cup match, going 13-0-1, with the only blemish being a 0-0 draw with Sweden during group play at the 2015 World Cup.
Carli Lloyd, who captained the USA today scored her 13th goal of 2019 in her seventh start this year. She has scored the most goals on the team this year.
Seven players – Sam Mewis, Kelley O’Hara, Morgan Brian, Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Lindsey Horan -- were not available for the game due to injury.
Five Chicago Red Stars played in the match, including Casey Short, who was a late call-up due to injuries to World Cup players.
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Korea Republic
Date: October 6, 2019
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Soldier Field; Chicago, Ill.
Attendance: 33,027
Kickoff: 1 p.m. CT
Weather: 68 degrees; mostly sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
KOR 1 0 1
KOR – Ji Soyun (Jang Selgi) 34th minute
USA – Carli Lloyd (Megan Rapinoe) 37
USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 26-Casey Short (22-Jessica McDonald, 82), 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 8-Julie Ertz (20-Allie Long, 59), 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.), 12-Tierna Davidson, 15-Megan Rapinoe (2-Mallory Pugh, 46), 16-Rose Lavelle (6-Morgan Brian, 46), 17-Tobin Heath (25-Andi Sullivan, 59), 19-Crystal Dunn (7-Abby Dahlkemper, 46), 23-Christen Press
Substitutes not used: 18-Ashlyn Harris, 21-Adrianna Franch
Not available: 3-Samantha Mewis, 5-Kelley O’Hara, 11-Ali Krieger, 13-Alex Morgan, 14-Emily Sonnett
Head coach: Jill Ellis
KOR: 1-Kang Gaae (18-Kim Minjung, 66); 3-Hong Hyeji, 6-Lim Seonjoo, 7-Lee Youngju, 8-Cho So Hyun, 9-Jang Selgi, 10-Ji Soyun (11-Moon Mira, 66), 16-Park Yeeun (14-Lee Sodam, 82), 20-Kim Hyeri (capt.), 22-Son Hwayeon, 23-Kang Chaerim
Substitutes not used: 21-Min Yukyeong, 2-Ha Eunhye, 4-Eo Hee Jin, 5-Kim Hyeyeong, 12-Kim Soeun, 15-Jang Chang, 17-Lee Seaeun, 19-Lee Hyokyeong, 24-Kim Jinhui
Head coach: Hwang Insun
Stats Summary: USA / KOR
Shots: 15 / 5
Shots on Goal: 5 / 3
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1
Fouls: 16 / 19
Offside: 4 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
KOR – Lee Young-Ju (caution) 35th minute
KOR – Son Hwayeon (caution) 39
KOR – Son Hwayeon (cation) 84
KOR – Son Hwayeon (sent off) 85
Officials:
Referee: Katia Garcia (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Mayra Mora (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Jennifer Garner (USA)
4th Official: Cecille Hinds (TRI)
U.S. Soccer Woman of the Match: Carli Lloyd