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Lloyd scores again as USWNT beats Netherlands in friendly

Photo by Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

Carli Lloyd scored her 94th international goal as the U.S. Women’s National Team defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in a friendly on Sunday.

The Dutch opened the scoring just two minutes in, surprising the Atlanta crowd. Following a deflection in the midfield, Shanice van de Sanden darted past the USWNT backline and fired a shot past Alyssa Naher, putting the USWNT behind early.

After a significant spell behind, Lloyd recorded the equalizer in the 35th minute after a terrific run and pass from Tobin Heath on the right flank. It was the midfielder’s 15th goal of 2016 and fourth in the two-match friendly set following a hat-trick against Thailand.

The USWNT took control in the second half after defender Mandy van den Berg’s own goal and Allie Long’s strike in the 78th minute. Long’s finish began with Megan Rapinoe, who lofted a cross towards Lloyd in the center of the box. The USWNT star headed a pass towards Long, who tapped a shot into an open net to cap the scoring.

Off the field, Rapinoe continued her protest as she kneeled again during the national anthem before the game. She entered the match as a 64th minute substitute before setting up Long’s goal.

With the most recent pair of friendlies now finished, the USWNT returns to action on October 19 for a friendly against Switzerland at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Comments

  1. Megan Rapinoe needs to be dropped from the National Team immediately. If she wants to protest she can decline the invitation to the team.

    Reply
  2. The U.S. began the match with passing so sloppy that it looked like a pick-up match instead of the USWNT in action. The Netherlands is a high scoring team and had the most goals in that playoff tourney for the final Olympic qualifying spot, but Sweden allowed much fewer goals and that propelled them into the Olympics, unfortunately for the U. S. Crystal Dunn did not look in good shape, and with a few others missing or not in top form, The U. S. was not at their “A” game.

    The Netherlands looked good but not good enough to win Euro-17. I like Germany in that one also.

    BTW, CONCACAF should connect with the COPA America people and have an Americas-17 Cup for their women’s teams also. You could seed all the teams from the 2015 WC, and then have a short qualifying tourney for the rest of the spots. I’m getting tired of having the U.S. with a 2 1/2 year dry spell for serious International Tournaments. The Agave Cup just doesn’t do it for me.

    If the U. S. women are ever going to get higher salaries, they are going to need higher profile
    tournaments to gain needed respect.

    BTW, despite her goal, my opinion of Allie Long still hasn’t changed. Her goals will typically come
    right in front of the goal when fed by some of the top USWMT guns. She will get one now and
    then, but in the open field she is an absolute disaster – the weakest link in the U. S. Team and typically involved in whatever goals the opposition will get. She is a Club Player and will never
    be anything more. She simply doesn’t have the basic skills and athleticism to perform the way
    you need to, to be on the USWNT!!!

    Reply

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