Lauren Holiday scored an unassisted goal in the first half and Megan Rapinoe followed with a second-half goal off a direct free kick as the U.S. Women’s National Team defeated China PR 2-0 in front of 14,903 fans at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
The winning margin could have been much higher as the USA created a bevy of scoring chances throughout the match. The U.S. finished with a 25-1 advantage in shots and put 12 goal, several of which were cleared out of the goal mouth by defenders.
Goalkeepers Hope Solo and Jill Loyden combined for the clean sheet with Loyden making one save in the second half.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
- USA – Lauren Holiday (unassisted), 39th minute: The USA was finally rewarded for its heavy attacking advantage after knocking on the doorstep for the entire first half. The USA created a flurry inside the China penalty box after Sydney Leroux pressured China goalkeeper Zhang Yue into scrambling to clear the ball out of the six-yard box. China’s defense was on its heels, managing to block a couple USA shot attempts before Lauren Holiday ran onto a blocked cross to fire a low blast from 19 yards out that found the left side of the net. It was her 23rd international goal. USA 1, CHN 0
- USA – Megan Rapinoe (unassisted), 78th minute: From approximately 28 yards out, Megan Rapinoe’s free kick from the left side of the penalty area eluded the pack of players in the middle of the penalty area, bounced on the edge of the six-yard box and snuck into the right side of the net to give the USA a two-goal cushion. It was Rapinoe’s second goal of the year and 25th of her career. USA 2, CHN 0 (FINAL)
- Highlights and Post-Game Comments: All goal scoring, highlights and post-game comments from the team and players will be available at ussoccer.com.
Milestone Watch:
- The USA added to its record home unbeaten streak which is now at 81 games. The U.S. WNT is 71-0-10 during its current streak which started on Dec. 8, 2004, with a 5-0 victory against Mexico in Carson, Calif.
- Midfielder Heather O’Reilly, who was honored before the match for reaching 200 career caps, played in game No. 201 on Sunday to tie longtime defender Kate Markgraf (201 caps from 1998-2010). O’Reilly is the ninth WNT player to reach the 200-game milestone.
- With her 169th career cap, midfielder Carli Lloyd passed Carla Overbeck for 14th on the WNT all-time appearances list.
- Lauren Holiday now has 23 career goals to go along with her 29 assists for 75 points. She ranks 18th on the all-time WNT points list, just one point behind Joy Fawcett (76 points from 1987-2004).