Morgan’s Goal Gives USA 1-0 Win Over England

Alex Morgan scored the 50th goal of her career and the U.S. Women’s National Team posted its first win of the year, defeating No. 6-ranked England 1-0 in front of 14,369 spectators at stadiummk in Milton Keynes, England.

 

England scored a goal in the 56th minute that appeared to level the score at 1-1, but was nullified by an offside call. Video replays showed that forward Jodie Taylor was actually not offsides on the play, but the goal was not allowed.

 

The USA now looks ahead to the 2015 Algarve Cup in Portugal, opening against Norway on Wednesday, March 4 (2 p.m. ET; FOX Sports 1). The WNT’s first home game of the year is April 4 against New Zealand at Busch Stadium in St. Louis (live on FOX Sports 1), where more than 28,000 tickets have already been sold.

 

The U.S. improved to 8-3-1 all-time against England. Seven of those eight wins have come by shutout.

 

The United States had many other moments to add to the scoring column, earning 10 corner kicks and a significant advantage in possession. However, the U.S. could not quite capitalize and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley had a strong performance that included five saves.

 

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Alex Morgan (Lauren Holiday), 25th minute: Morgan Brian started the sequence with a quick pass from the right flank to Holiday, who then crossed left-footed to Alex Morgan in the middle of the box. Morgan rose over England captain Steph Houghton and headed the ball toward the left of the frame. Goalkeeper Karen Bardley got her right glove on the shot, but it was not enough to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line as the USA scored the only goal it would need. USA 1, ENG 0 (FINAL)

 

Milestone Watch:

• With her 50th goal, Alex Morgan is now the 10th WNT player to reach that milestone. Morgan is now three goals behind ninth-place Carin Gabarra (53 goals from 1987-1996).
• Abby Wambach became the sixth WNT player to earn 200 starts, joining Kristine Lilly (330), Christie Rampone (270), Julie Foudy (260), Mia Hamm (247) and Joy Fawcett (234). Wambach has now earned 234 caps, which also ranks sixth all-time.

Next on the Schedule:
The U.S. WNT returns to action at the 2015 Algarve Cup in Portugal, starting against Norway on Wednesday, March 4. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. ET at Vila Real de San Antonio.
Broadcast information: FOX Sports 1

 

Additional Notes:

• Head coach Jill Ellis made two starting lineup changes from the USA’s previous match against No. 3-ranked France.
• Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris earned her second straight cap and appeared for the sixth time in her career.
• The back line included the center back pairing of Becky Sauerbrunn and Whitney Engen, Meghan Klingenberg on the left and Ali Krieger on the right. Krieger earns her first start of the year after coming off the bench against France.
• The midfield in the USA’s 4-4-2 included Lauren Holiday and Morgan Brian in the center, Carli Lloyd on the left and Christen Press on the right.
• Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach were paired up top. Wambach, who was a second-half sub against France, wore the captain’s armband.
• Defender Crystal Dunn made her first appearance of the year and collected the 24th cap of her career, replacing Klingenberg in the 79th minute.
• In the waning moments, Amy Rodriguez entered for Morgan in the 90th minute and Kelley O’Hara replaced Press in the second minute of stoppage time.

– U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. England
Date: Feb. 13, 2015
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: stadiummk; Milton Keynes, England
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
Attendance: 14,369
Weather: 41 degrees; Scattered clouds

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                       1 0 1
ENG                       0 0 0

USA – Alex Morgan (Lauren Holiday)   25th minute

Lineups:
USA: 24-Ashlyn Harris; 11-Ali Krieger, 6-Whitney Engen, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 25-Meghan Klingenberg (22-Crystal Dunn, 79); 23-Christen Press (5-Kelley O’Hara, 90+2), 15-Morgan Brian, 12-Lauren Holiday, 10-Carli Lloyd; 13-Alex Morgan (8-Amy Rodriguez, 90), 20-Abby Wambach (capt.)
Subs Not Used: 7-Shannon Boxx, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 14-Julie Johnston, 16-Lori Chalupny, 17-Tobin Heath, 19-Rachel Van Hollebeke, 21-Alyssa Naeher, 26-Tori Huster 
Head coach: Jill Ellis

ENG: 1-Karen Bardsley; 2-Alex Scott, 5-Steph Houghton (capt.), 6-Laura Bassett (19-Jessica Clarke, 90), 3-Demi Stokes (14-Alex Greenwood, 70); 7-Jordan Nobbs (16-Fara Williams, 81), 8-Jill Scott, 4-Jo Potter (20-Eni Aliko, 79), 11-Karen Carney; 9-Jodie Taylor (22-Lianne Sanderson, 81), 10-Fran Kirby
Subs Not Used: 12-Gemma Bonner, 13-Siobhan Chamberlain, 15-Casey Stoney, 17-Katie Chapman, 18-Jade Moore, 21-Carly Telford
Head coach: Mark Sampson

Stats Summary: USA / ENG
Shots: 12 / 3
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 10 / 2
Fouls: 3 / 7
Offside: 1 / 1