Second-Half Surge Lifts USA 4-1 Over Brazil

After going down early in the first half due to an own goal, the U.S. Women’s National Team rallied back with three unanswered tallies in the second half to earn a 4-1 victory against Brazil and take home its first Tournament of Nations title.

Earlier in the day, Australia beat Japan, 2-0, which meant the the U.S. had to win by a two-goal margin in order to maintain its lead via tie-breakers over the Matildas in the tournament standings.

The USA created several scoring chances early in the match that could have opened the scoring in its favor. However, it was Brazil that struck first off a counterattack from Debinha. U.S. defender Tierna Davidson attempted to clear a cross that instead deflected into the back of her own net in the 16th minute.

Despite going down early, the USA regrouped and continued to push forward with a high-pressure offense. The Red, White and Blue finally saw its efforts pay off in the 33rd minute of play when Rose Lavelle one-time volleyed a shot past Brazilian goalkeeper Leticia into the right side netting for the equalizer. The scoring sequence began with Megan Rapione serving a ball into the box from the left flank, and Alex Morgan flicked the ball backwards to the right side of the box where Lindsey Horan had time to settle. She then chipped the ball back into the box towards Lavelle, who converted her third career international goal in 11 appearances.

In the second half, the U.S. WNT took the lead in the 53rd minute and never looked back. Tobin Heath received the ball on the right flank and penetrated forward to take Mônica one 1-on-1. After creating enough separation, she lobbed the ball towards the back post where Julie Ertz slid in to redirect the ball into the back of the net for the 2-1 advantage.

The USA extended its lead in the 61st minute when Alex Morgan controlled the ball inside the box, turned back to look for a teammate making an under-lapping run, and found Heath at the top of the box. Heath struck a powerful low shot from 18 yards out through a group of players into the far left side of the net for the two-goal advantage.

Morgan then put the game away in the 77th minute, converting a well-drawn up set piece to solidify the USA’s 4-1 win and the 2018 Tournament of Nations trophy.

The U.S. WNT will host Chile for two friendly matches (Aug. 31 in Los Angeles and Sept. 4 in San Jose) before entering World Cup qualifying in October. Chile will be a Women’s World Cup debutante next summer after qualifying for the tournament for the first time by finishing second in the 2018 Copa América Femenina. The U.S. begins the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship begins on Oct. 4 in Cary, N.C.

U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Brazil

Date: August 2, 2018

Competition: Tournament of Nations

Venue: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET

Attendance: 18,309

Weather: 83 degrees, mostly cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

USA 1 3 4

BRA 1 0 1

BRA - Tierna Davidson (own goal) 16th minute

USA - Rose Lavelle (Lindsey Horan) 33

USA - Julie Ertz (Tobin Heath) 53

USA - Tobin Heath (Alex Morgan) 61

USA - Alex Morgan (Megan Rapinoe) 77

Lineups:

USA : 1-Alyssa Naeher; 22-Emily Sonnett, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 12-Tierna Davidson, 19-Crystal Dunn (7-Abby Dahlkemper, 88); 16-Rose Lavelle (5-McCall Zerboni, 46), 2-Julie Ertz, 9-Lindsey Horan; 17-Tobin Heath (14-Casey Short, 69), 13-Alex Morgan (capt.) (23-Christen Press, 90), 15-Megan Rapinoe (10-Carli Lloyd, 80)

Subs not used: 21-Adrianna Franch, 24-Ashlyn Harris, 3-Samantha Mewis, 6-Morgan Brian, 8-Amy Rodriguez, 11-M erritt Mathias, 20-Allie Long

Head coach: Jill Ellis

BRA : 22-Leticia; 23-Rayanne (14-Poliana, 74), 21-Monica, 15-Tayla, 6-Tamires (7-Camila, 36); 18-Thais (20-Raquel, 69), 5-Thaisa (8-Juliana, 90), 11-Adriana, 9-Debinha (2-Millene, 78); 10-Marta (capt.), 16-Beatriz

Subs not used: 1-Barbara, 12-Aline, 3-Daiane, 4-Kathellen, 13-Rilany, 17-Andressinha, 19-Joyce

Head coach: Oswaldo Alvarez (Vadão)

Final Stats Summary: USA / BRA

Shots: 21 / 7

Shots on Goal: 8 / 1

Saves: 0 / 4

Corner Kicks: 4 / 1

Fouls: 15 / 13

Offside: 6 / 1

Misconduct Summary:

USA - Crystal Dunn (caution) 12th minute

BRA - Camila (caution) 44

BRA - Tayla (caution) 74

Officials:

Referee: Quetzalli Alvarado (MEX)

Assistant Referee 1: Enedina Caudillo (MEX)

Assistant Referee 2: Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing (JAM)

4th Official: Mirian Leon (SLV)