USWNT suffers first loss to England on U.S. soil

The United States women’s national team (USWNT) played their second game of the SheBelieves Cup tonight when they took on England. The match was played in Sky Blue FC’s backyard at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. in front of a sellout crowd of 26,500.

Before the game began, long-time UWSNT captain and current Sky Blue FC captain Christie Rampone was honored for her years of commitment to the national team.

When USA and England took the pitch, the action began immediately with both teams having scoring opportunities. The back-and-forth first half saw two major scoring chances stopped by superb goalkeeping. The first opportunity came for the USA in the 24th minute when Crystal Dunn crossed the ball to a wide open Rose Lavelle at the top of the six yard box. Unfortunately, Lavelle’s one-touch shot was saved by the outstretched Lioness goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain and cleared out of danger.

England’s first shot on goal was in the 32nd minute off of a set piece. A misclear by U.S. defender Julie Johnston left England’s Nikita Parris one-on-one with goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, who was ready for the shot and made a point-blank save to keep England off the score sheet.

The game continued to be a stalemate with goals, but both teams had opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. The USA seemed to get into England’s half many times with wide runs but could never get off a clean shot on goal.

Again England’s best chances came from set pieces in the second half of play. In the 71st minute, England had a free kick outside the box that required Harris to make another diving stop.

The result would be different, however, in the 89th minute when England was awarded a corner kick. The corner was sent into the box and a weak USA clearance allowed for a laser shot from Lucy Bronze that hit the crossbar which ricocheted inside the box. A scattered U.S. defense was unable to clear the ball, and Ellen White of England was able to clean up the play and push the ball past Harris.

The last few minutes of play saw a frantic USA team that was trying to find an equalizer but was unable to score before the final whistle blew. Thus, the game ended in a 1-0 England victory, the first time England has beaten USA on American soil.

The one goal by England would be the only goal scored in the second round of the SheBelieves Cup as Germany vs. France ended in a 0-0 draw. France now has four points and sits atop the group. England and the U.S. have three points apiece, but England is ahead of the U.S. by goal differential. Germany is in last place with one point and has officially been eliminated from winning the SheBelieves Cup.

The third and final round of the tournament will take place on Tuesday March 7 with England and Germany playing at 4 p.m. ET then USA and France playing at 7 p.m. ET. Both games will take place at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Match Report

USA: 24 Ashlyn Harris; 4 Becky Sauerbrunn, 8 Julie Johnston, 11 Ali Krieger; 19 Crystal Dunn (12 Lynn Williams-64), 3 Samantha Mewis (20 Allie Long-77), 9 Lindsey Horan (6 Morgan Brian-77), 16-Rose Lavelle, 10 Carli Lloyd (capt.) (17 Tobin Heath-76); 2 Mallory Pugh, 13 Alex Morgan (23 Christen Press-63)

Subs not used: 1 Alyssa Naeher, 5 Kelley O’Hara, 7 Casey Short, 14 Jessica McDonald, 15 Emily Sonnett, 18 Jane Campbell, 22 Brianna Pinto

Goals: None

Yellow Cards: Lloyd- 68’

Red Cards: None

Head Coach: Jill Ellis

ENG: 13 Siobhan Chamberlain; 3 Demi Stokes, 4 Lucy Bronze, 5 Steph Houghton (capt.), 7 Jordan Nobbs (8 Jade Moore-90+3), 10 Izzy Christiansen (6 Millie Bright-90+2), 15 Laura Bassett, 17 Fara Williams, 19 Toni Duggan (11 Ellen White-76), 20 Karen Carney (18 Jill Scott-63), 22-Nikita Parris (9 Jodie Taylor-77)

Subs not used: 1 Karen Bardsley, 21 Mary Earps, 12 Rachel Daly, 14 Casey Stoney, 16 Gemma Bonner, 23 Rachel Williams

Goals: White 89’

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

Head Coach: Mark Sampson