The U.S. Women’s National Team faced its toughest test of the SheBelieves Cup on Saturday, and served up a reminder of why it is still considered the favorites to win Olympic gold this summer.
Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe played the heroes at Exploria Stadium, as both scored in a 2-0 win over Brazil. It was also a second clean sheet of the tournament for Vlatko Andonovski’s side, which will conclude play on Wednesday against Argentina.
Press continued her good run of form in international play, scoring in the 11th minute. After receiving a pass from Lindsey Horan, Press cut inside before unleashing a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
WHAT A HIT! 🎯@ChristenPress puts the @USWNT in front vs Brazil with a perfect strike #SheBelieves pic.twitter.com/Px3IkHmWFm
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 21, 2021
It was her 10th goal in her past 13 appearances for the USWNT in all competitions.
Ludmila had the best offensive opportunity for Brazil later in the half, but Alyssa Naeher made a comfortable save in the center of the goal.
Rose Lavelle and Andressinha each had shots saved later in the match as the USWNT clung to a 1-0 advantage after the halftime break.
Megan Rapinoe was one of four USNWT substitutions in the second half, and after replacing Press in the attack, the veteran forward iced the result for the hosts in fine fashion. The 35-year-old registered her first goal of the tournament after beating Barbara down the middle for an insurance tally.
Icing on the cake for the @USWNT! 🇺🇸@mPinoe hammers it home to double the lead! pic.twitter.com/FXpC9yfPsG
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 21, 2021
Naeher finished with a pair of saves in goal, while defensively the USWNT backline helped shut down a Brazil attack that scored four goals in a Matchday 1 win over Argentina.
The USWNT will claim the SheBelieves Cup trophy on Wednesday with a win.
Brazil is a GOOD Team with no weaknesses. The U.S. won because it was simply stronger at a number of positions. However, Brazil could win on a given day if they meet in the Olympics. The U.S. had injuries at the Right Wing, Center-Half, and Right Back positions. When playing with a full deck, the U. S. is still the team to beat in Tokyo. One of the biggest improvements for the U. S. has been Christen Press. While she always had the speed, she use to run the ball down field, and attempt to best the GK in close. However the GK would almost always stuff her and the play would come to an end. Now when she comes down field with the ball, if she can’t cross the ball to an open teammate, she will pull the ball back, move to her right and curve in a shot just inside the far post, while the GK, who is guarding the near post looks helplessly on, as was seen on the 1st goal Sunday. This shot has been Christen’s go to shot of late with GREAT SUCCESS. It could be possible to see Christen at one wing and Megan at the other at Tokyo. Also Kudos to Alyssa N for her continuing stellar performances at GK. She may now have the all-time record for consecutive scoreless minutes in goal.
Just talking players since we’re looking at Tokyo with all of this. LW presents Vlatko with a real conundrum, really pulling for her to make more plays in the box and final 3rd with all the opportunities she gets to support all of the good things she does (for example, she smokes the ball but right to the goalie, 3 or 4 times in these 2 games. And without OHara the right flank is not the same and Pia went after her and that side hard today and Sonnett had a bit of a stinker. On the other side, Dunn may not like playing LB but she is the best at it. Finally, Horan was awesome; she brings technical excellence with vision and serious bite as well to that midfield and she’s a load in the box on set pieces; Ertz not the same as she was before on that near post run, that run is brutal and looks like she’s had enough, can’t blame her. Morgan looked sharp too.
I think the US was a bit lucky. Brazil had about 3 excellent chances and didn’t even make the US GK work as they missed the target. The US was exposed frequently on counter attacks. At times the US looked great, then they would make a terrible pass or stupid play. One of the things that frustrated me was the poor decision making, especially around the box. They would pass when they should have shot and then try to shoot when they should have passed. In the end, though, since it’s a competition, only the score really matters, so they’re happier than Brazil.