Today we will be recapping the USWNT final game in the SheBelieves Cup.
Before we start here is some background knowledge on the game: The starting line up was, Adrianna Franch, Kelley O'Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Julie Ertz, Samantha Mewis, Lindsey Horan, Tobin Heath, Christen Press, and Meagan Rapinoe. This game took place in Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. If the USWNT won or tied this game they would win the SheBelieves Cup!
1st Half
The game started off with the US kicking off. Only a few seconds in, Samantha Mewis was called offsides in the 1st minute. 3 minutes later in the fourth minute, Lindsey Horan received the ball and was dribbling but then a Japanese player pulled her jersey causing her to trip and land on her shoulder, and that's not even the worse part. The Japanese player fell on her making it even worse. It looked like it could've been a broken shoulder but somehow she was able to come back in and keep playing. She was seen holding her shoulder during the game but she persevered. Obviously this was going to be a free-kick. So outside the 18-yard box, Meagan Rapinoe lined up to take the kick. In the 7th minute, the referee blew her whistle and Megan Rapinoe took the kick. The ball soared through the air and into the left side of the net! That was a beautiful goal! Then 4 minutes later in the 11th minute, Japan served a corner kick into the box but it was cleared out. 5 minutes later in the sixteenth minute, Tobin Heath shot the ball but it saved. In the 21st minute, Adrianna Franch scooped up the ball. We noticed that the US was playing a very high press game. Then in the 27th minute, the Japanese goalkeeper passed the ball out of the back but it ended up going right to Meagan Rapinoe. Megan Rapinoe passed the ball to Christen Press who chipped the ball over the Japanese goalkeeper and into the goal! 2 minutes later in the 29th minute, Japan tried to take the same approach but the ball was chipped over the goal. A few minutes later in the 31st minute, Christen Press shot the ball but it missed the ball. 9 minutes later in the fortieth minute, a Japanese player shot the ball wide. Then 2 minutes later in the 42nd minute, Adrianna Franch received the ball. The final half time score ended up being 2-0 and the first half ended with no extra time.
2nd Half
Before kickoff, the US subbed in Becky Sauerbrunn, #4 for Tierna Davidson #12 at halftime. Japan started with kick-off and the 2nd half was on its way. In the 49th minute, Tobin Heath fouled a Japanese player and got a yellow card. In the 50th minute, Japan was offsides but Adrianna Franch still held strong and made the save. In the 53rd minute, Sam Mewis chipped the ball to Lindsey Horan who was in the 18-yard box but her touch was too long and went straight to the keeper. 5 minutes later in the 58th minute, Japan was able to curl the ball into the right side of the goal. The score was 2-1. In the 60th minute, Mallory Pugh came in for Megan Rapinoe and Cassey Short came in for Crystal Dunn. Both teams were playing very hight press. 11 minutes later in the 71st minute, Carli Lloyd came in for Christen Press and Sam Mewis for Rose Lavelle. Both teams were taking a ton of shots but no one could put the ball in the back of the net. 7 minutes later in the 78th minute, Lyn Williams came in for Tobin Heath. After the sub, Carli Lloyd put the ball just wide to the right after a cross from Mallory Pugh. Then in the 82nd minute after a corner kick in from Mallory Pugh Linsey Horan jumped up and headed the ball into the left side of the net! In the 89th minute, Carli Lloyd chipped the ball just over the goal. After 3 minutes of injury time, the game ended with a score of 3-1, US. The USWNT is the SheBelieve Cup Champions!
Congratulations to the USWNT on winning the 2020 SheBelieves Cup!
We learned that the US women and men's soccer team have canceled there upcoming games in March and April. We hope the Olympics won't be postponed.
Have a great rest of your day, stay safe and keep supporting the USWNT!
Smed, Jamie. IMG_5924.JPG. 12 June 2018. Flickr, www.flickr.com/photos/ highwaytodistraction/43632430461/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2020.
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