ALICANTE, Spain – The U.S. Women’s National Team still struggling to score, rebounded from a 3-0 loss to France, with a 1-0 win over an organized a determined Spain. It was the first international meeting between the two teams.
The win came off a second half goal by substitute Christen Press, that was originally scored an own goal by a defender in an effort to clear the ball off the line.
Spain had a greater control of play in the first half, and threatened the U.S. goal early in the game. But in the second half the U.S. began to take greater control of the run of play, and the insertion of Press into the front line added a level of pace that eventually resulted in the game-winning goal.
Receiving the ball at midfield in the 54th minute, Press turned on one defender and sprinted to goal. She cruised past another defender and dribbled into the left side of the penalty area before hitting a contested shot on the ground to the far post from a tight angle. The ball was rolling into the net before being knocked home by Spain defender Irene Paredes who was sliding in an effort to clear the ball..
The U.S. team was the dominant side `in the second half as pressure wore down Spain with fresh legs. The shutout was preserved by an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
U.S. head coach Jill Ellis made several lineup changes from the loss to France three days earlier. Chrystal Dunn was back at her usual left back position, and both Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath were back in midfield.
Up Next: The WNT returns to the USA for the beginning of the eight-game, home portion of Countdown to the Cup. The 2019 SheBelieves Cup opening match vs. Japan at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. on Feb. 27 (7 p.m. ET; FS1). The U.S. will also face England on March 2 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. (4:30 p.m. ET; FOX) and Brazil on March 5 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (8 p.m. ET; FS1) during the SheBelieves Cup.
Goal Scoring Rundown: USA – Christen Press (Rose Lavelle), 54th: The USA broke up a Spain attack at midfield and Rose Lavelle played the ball to Press near the center circle. She turned a defender and headed directly toward goal, then sprinted past a second defender and clipping a low shot from wide left of the goal toward the right post. Before the ball could reach the line, Spain defender Irene Paredes attempted to clear it but ended up putting it into her own goal. USA 1, ESP 0 FINAL
Additional Notes:
- Since the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, the USA has failed to score in just one game (vs. Australia at the 2017 ToN); a 34-game span. Tonight’s goal marked the USA’s 30th consecutive match scoring a goal.
- Alyssa Naeher earned her 41st career cap tonight. She has 22 career shutouts and is the fifth goalkeeper in U.S. history to earn 30 or more caps.
- Becky Sauerbrunn earned her 151st cap tonight. She is now the 20th player – and only the third who has played exclusively as a defender – to feature 150 times for the U.S. WNT.
- Julie Ertz, who did not dress for the match vs. France, made her 74th international appearance tonight. She has scored 18 international goals.
- Rose Lavelle, who also did not dress for the game vs. France, made her first start and appearance of this year. It was cap No. 21 for Lavelle, who has scored six international goals.
- Tobin Heath is another player who did not dress vs. France but took the field vs. Spain to make her 143rd international appearance for the USA. In 2018, Heath scored seven goals in only 10 appearances.
- Megan Rapinoe captained the USA tonight. Rapinoe, who did not suit up vs. France, earned her 146th cap for the U.S WNT. She was the team-leader in assist last year with 12.
– U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Spain
Date: January 22, 2019
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Estadio José Rico Pérez; Alicante, Spain
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. local)
Attendance: 9,182
Weather: 52 degrees, partly cloudy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
ESP 0 0 0
USA – Christen Press (Rose Lavelle) 54th minute
Lineups: USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 2-Emily Sonnett (12-Tierna Davidson, 46), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 19-Crystal Dunn; 8-Julie Ertz (25-McCall Zerboni, 69), 9-Lindsey Horan (11-Mallory Pugh, 46), 16-Rose Lavelle (3-Samantha Mewis, 76); 17-Tobin Heath (20-Jessica McDonald, 60), 13-Alex Morgan, 15-Megan Rapinoe (capt.) (23-Christen Press, 46)
Substitutes not used: 10-Carli Lloyd, 24-Ashlyn Harris, 27-Andi Sullivan Head Coach: Jill Ellis
ESP: 13-Sandra Paños; 8-Marta Torrejón (capt.) (7-Marta Corredera, 65), 4-Irene Paredes, 20-Andrea Pereira, 16-Mapi León; 6-Vicky Losada (21-Andrea Sánchez Falcón, 60), 15-Silvia Meseguer, 11-Alexia Putellas; 9-Mariona Caldentey (18-Aitana Bonmatí, 73), 10-Jennifer Hermoso (22-Nahikari García, 79), 19-Amanda Sampedro (17-Lucía García, 73) Substitutes not used: 1-Lola Gallardo, 23-Sun Quiñones, 5-Ivana Andrés, 3-Leila Ouahabi, 2-Celia Jiménez, 12-Marta Carro, 25-Ángela Sosa, 24-Alba Redondo Head Coach: Jorge Vilda
Stats Summary: USA / ESP Shots: 9 / 4
Shots on Goal: 3 / 2
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1
Fouls: 17 / 8
Offside: 6 / 4
Misconduct Summary: ESP – Silvia Meseguer (caution) 74th minute
Officials: Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Manuela Nicolosi (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Solenne Bartnik (FRA)
Fourth official: Victoria Beyer (FRA)
Budweiser Woman of the Match: Christen Press