By Tommy Kane

Published: March 3rd, 2019

Volume III: Issue II

The United States Women’s National team drew England, 2-2, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, T.N. on Mar. 2, 2019. It was the second match of the annual SheBelieves Cup.

Previously, the United States drew Japan by the same score, giving them a total of two points between the two games.

Alyssa Naeher (GK) sustained a shoulder injury against Japan, giving Adriana Franch (GK) the first cap of her U.S. National career.

Honoring Inspiring Women:

Wambach and Morgan having a special moment together

The United States Soccer Federation announced that each player would wear the name of an inspirational woman on the back of their jersey. Each player got to pick a woman who has inspired her at some point in her life.

The women honored ranged from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Cardi B. Specifically, Alex Morgan (F) was honoring former U.S. soccer star, Abby Wambach. Wambach and Morgan played together and even won World Cups under the Stars and Stripes. Wambach also helped shape Morgan’s career.

This is specifically for the match against England, as it is the first game in the month of March. March is known as Women’s History Month, where we come together as a nation and honor all the women that have made a huge impact on our lives.

In honor of Women’s History Month, and of the SheBelieves Cup, I would like to dedicate this article to my loving mother. She has done so much to help shape the way I am and I am grateful for all of her sacrifices. I love you, Mom.

Split Draw First Half:

To start, a scary moment happened for the United States just in the first 20 minutes of the match. Rose Lavalle (MF) was trying to save the ball from going out of bounds but wounded up bending her knee in an awkward way. After a few minutes, she stretched out and returned. Lavalle had been out with nagging injuries in the last few years.

Both sides had great opportunities in the first half, but the best opportunity came first for the United States.

In the 33rd minute, the U.S. struck. Kelley O’Hara (D) attempted to cross the field to a teammate, but it went off an English defender and came onto Megan Rapinoe (F). Rapinoe was able to get control of the ball and fire it above Karen Bardsley (GK) of England, but below the crossbar and into the net.

Bardsley was clearly stunned by the shot and didn’t even move to make a play on the ball, giving the U.S. an early 1-0 lead.

Megan Rapinoe celebrates after her goal

Only a few minutes later, Franch got a penalty that led to an indirect free-kick for the English. In the 36th minute, England capitalized on the opportunity and Stephanie Houghton bent the ball around Franch, giving England the tying goal.

The teams stayed tight by the draw at the end of the first half.

Hot Start for England, But the U.S. Came Back:

England didn’t stay quiet after the first half, and they went right in for the kill early.

In the 52nd minute, Nikita Parris got on the board. She was able to get behind the back-line of the United States after the ball was passed to her, creating an onside play. She then had an easy target and cashed in for the 2-1 lead.

For the next ten minutes or so, the U.S. was prepared to make a comeback.

Finally, in the 67th minute, Tobin Heath (F) scored the game-tying goal on a corner kick opportunity. She received the ball after it went back and forth between both sides and knocked in the ball after a few attempts. Hope sprung back into the U.S. Faithful.

Tobin Heath scored the game-tying goal

After the goal, both teams were unable to score again to take the lead.

The match ended up being a draw by a score of 2-2. Once again, the U.S. faced a draw against a difficult opponent.

The United States had five shots to England’s three. They also controlled possession 54% to 47%. Despite this, it was a very evenly matched game and a tie was a deserving result.

On to Brazil:

The United States has just one more game left in the SheBelieves Cup, and it’s against Brazil. The game will take place on Mar. 5, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Fl.

Brazil lost both of their games leading up to the U.S. They lost 2-1 against England and 3-1 against Japan. They will be looking to get a result and a few points before the end of the tournament, but are unable to win the cup.

For the United States, they have just two points and are looking for a win and some help. To win the cup, they have to beat Brazil by three goals or more, as well as Japan and England need to tie each other. Japan and England are facing each other and both have four points.

It will be difficult, but nonetheless, the U.S. will need to give it all they got because the 2019 World Cup is looming, which starts on Jun. 7, 2019.

Expect Franch to be in net for the match against Brazil, as Naeher should not be 100% by game-time.

Ties are not going to cut it for the United States when it comes to World Cup action in France. Teams are just getting better, so expect the U.S. to take the game to the next level. With Becky Sauerbrunn (D) out, the defensive line is not as dominant as usual.

GO USA!

Stats:

Game Summary and Stats

Video Highlights