BRIGEVIEW, Ill. (Aug. 2, 2018) – After going down early in the first half due to an own goal, the U.S. Women’s National Team roared back with three goals in the second half to earn a 4-1 win against Brazil and take home its first Tournament of Nations title in front of a spectacular crowd of 18,309 at Toyota Park.
After Australia beat Japan, 2-0, in the day’s early game, the U.S. knew it also needed to win by a two-goal margin in order to maintain its lead via tie-breakers over the Matildas in the tournament standings, and set about trying to accomplish just that from the outset.
The USA had control of the match from the get-go and produced several chances that could have opened the scoring in its favor. But, against the run of play, it was Brazil that struck first via 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.
Unfazed by the surprise deficit, the U.S. continued to push forward on offense and found the equalizer via some terrific play and a top-class finish from Rose Lavelle in the 33rd minute, sending the teams into the locker room tied at the half.
In the second half, the U.S. came out blazing and took the lead after only eight minutes through a sliding Julie Ertz volley that capped off another impressive offensive flourish from the U.S. An invigorated defense kept Brazil at bay and provided a strong foundation for the USA to launch more attacks throughout the half.
After assisting on Ertz’s goal, Tobin Heath grabbed one of her own with a terrific low drive that snaked through some traffic on its way into the goal in the 61st minute, giving the U.S. a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Alex Morgan then put the USA out of sight in the 77th minute, converting a well-drawn up set piece to solidify the team’s 4-1 win and the 2018 Tournament of Nations trophy.
2018 Tournament of Nations Final Standings
|
Team |
GP |
W |
L |
T |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts. |
|
USA |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
|
Australia |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
|
Brazil |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
-4 |
3 |
|
Japan |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
8 |
-5 |
0 |
Next Up: The USA 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.
Social: Follow the #USWNT on Facebook; Twitter (@ussoccer_wnt; @ussoccer_esp); Instagram and Snapchat (ussoccer_wnt).
Goal Scoring Rundown:
BRA – Own Goal (Tierna Davidson), 16th minute: Debinha led the Brazil counterattack down the left wing and she spied Adrianna making a run towards the middle. Debinha’s cross was a good one, and forced Tierna Davidson, who was running at her goal, to slide in an attempt to clear the ball. Instead, it spun off her foot and into the upper left corner past a diving Alyssa Naeher for the USA’s first own goal since 2015. USA 0, BRA 1. WATCH.
USA – Rose Lavelle (Lindsey Horan), 33rd minute: Megan Rapinoe crossed the ball from the left flank and Alex Morgan, positioned inside the penalty area, flicked it on with her head to Lindsey Horan. Horan took one touch before chipping back to Lavelle in the middle of the penalty area where she finished brilliantly with a half volley into the right side netting to tie the match. USA 1, BRA 1. WATCH.
USA – Julie Ertz (Tobin Heath), 53rd minute: Tobin Heath took on Mônica on the right side, won the ball and looped it toward the far left post for Julie Ertz, who came sprinting from outside the box to send a sliding shot into the top of the net for the U.S. lead. USA 2, BRA 1. WATCH.
USA – Tobin Heath (Alex Morgan), 61st minute: Alex Morgan controlled the ball inside the box, looked up for a teammate and picked out an incoming Tobin Heath at the top of the box. Heath struck a powerful low shot from 18 yards out through a forest of players into the far left side of the net for the two-goal advantage. USA 3, BRA 1. WATCH.
USA – Alex Morgan (Megan Rapinoe), 77th minute: A well drawn up set piece was executed to perfection by the U.S. when Megan Rapinoe’s free kick fell to the middle of the area at the top of the six-yard box where Alex Morgan timed an exacting run that got behind the defense to redirect the ball into the back of the net. USA 4, BRA 1. WATCH. FINAL
Additional Notes:
- 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
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-Merritt 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)
Budweiser Woman of the Match: Megan Rapinoe