U.S. Women’s National Team Completes Series Sweep With 2-1 Victory Over China PR

The U.S. Women’s National Team completed its friendly series sweep of China PR with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, in front of 12,335 fans. Megan Rapinoe scored in the first half while Tobin Heath tallied the game winner in the 75th minute of play to secure the victory.

Christen Press, who got her first start of 2018, joined the century club as she became the 37th female player in U.S. history to earn 100 caps.

The USA struck first in this contest, taking a 1-0 advantage in the 35th minute of play. China once again was disciplined and compact on defense, and the scoring sequence began with the U.S. controlling possession in the midfield. Sam Mewis was able to play the ball to the right side where Press was open. After taking a touch to settle, she sent a beautiful cross towards the back post to find Rapinoe, who headed the ball back across the goal and into the back of the net.

China converted the equalizer in the 71st minute off a corner kick. The ball was played from the right and got behind the defense to find Li Tingting. She raced into the penalty area before playing a square pass to an unmarked Li Ying, and she sent it home to tie the game at one apiece.

The USA responded quickly with a goal just four minutes later to take back the lead. Heath, who hadn’t played in a U.S. WNT match since Sept. 19, 2017 due to injuries, converted the game-winner. Press nutmegged a defender on the right side of the field and made her way towards the top of the box. She then played a give-and-go with Heath, and despite the return pass bouncing up and off of Press’ shoulder, the New Jersey native hit a spinning half-volley with the outside of her foot that looped over the goalkeeper and just underneath the crossbar.

At the final whistle, the score remained 2-1 in favor of the U.S. as the squad extended its 2018 overall record to 7-0-1. China has already qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup while team USA will compete in the Concacaf Women’s Championship, which will qualify three teams, in October.

Next up for the U.S. WNT is the 2018 Tournament of Nations, featuring the USA, Brazil, Australia and Japan. The round-robin tournament will take place on July 26, July 29 and August 2.

U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. China PR

Date: June 12, 2018

Competition: International Friendly

Venue: FirstEnergy Stadium; Cleveland, Ohio

Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

Attendance: 12,335

Weather: 77 degrees; Cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

USA 1 1 2

CHN 0 1 1

USA - Megan Rapinoe (Christen Press) 35th minute

CHN - Li Ying (Li Tingting) 72

USA - Tobin Heath (Christen Press) 75

Lineups:

USA: 24-Ashlyn Harris; 14-Sofia Huerta (27-Merritt Mathias, 77), 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 12-Tierna Davidson, 19-Crystal Dunn; 2-Julie Ertz (9-Lindsey Horan, 57), 3-Samantha Mewis (16-Rose Lavelle, 65), 6-Morgan Brian (20-Allie Long, 46); 23-Christen Press, 13-Alex Morgan (capt.) (17-Tobin Heath, 64), 15-Megan Rapinoe (10-Carli Lloyd, 57)

Substitutes: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 8-Amy Rodriguez, 25-McCall Zerboni Head coach: Jill Ellis

CHN: 12-Peng Shimeng; 5-Wu Haiyan (capt.), 6-Lin Yuping, 7-Wang Shuang, 10-Li Ying, 11-Wang Shanshan (21-Xiao Yuyi, 66), 16-Yan Jinjin (29-Li Tingting, 59), 18-Han Peng, 23-Ren Guixin ( 26-Wang Yan, 66), 25-Lou Jiahui, 27-Yao Wei

Substitutes: 24-Yang Yan, 31-Zhou Li, 2-Liu Shanshan, 4-Li Danyang, 9-Tang Jiali, 14-Xu Yanlu, 19-Tan Ruyin, 20-Zhang Rui, 30-Yang Li Head coach: Jia Xiuquan

Stats Summary: USA / CHN

Shots: 16 / 9

Shots on Goal: 5 / 6

Saves: 5 / 3

Corner Kicks: 4 / 0

Fouls: 10 / 14

Offside: 2 / 6

Misconduct Summary:

USA - Tierna Davidson (caution) 69th minute

CHN - Han Peng (caution) 78

Officials:

Referee: Christina Unkel (USA)

Assistant Referee 1: Kimberly Moreira (CRC)

Assistant Referee 2: Jennifer Garner (USA)

4th Official: Quetzalli Alvarado (MEX)