Rapinoe’s Goals, Solo’s Saves Help USWNT Pass 1st Women’s World Cup Test

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 9, 2015

commentComment        

The United States passed a first test in Group D at the Women's World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Australia on Monday evening in Winnipeg, Manitoba. While the final score might suggest a dominant performance, in truth the Americans were far from their best against a lively Australia team that threatened for long stretches to pull off an upset against the two-time champions.

The match played to expectations in the end, and three main factors contributed to the result more than any others. First, goalkeeper Hope Solo made a pair of clutch saves to deny Australia as the Matildas ran rampant early in the match. Second, winger Megan Rapinoe netted a pair of goals—including the crucial opener—and played a supporting role in another. Third, the Americans' superior fitness levels resulted in a strong second half that saw the U.S. score twice and seal the victory.



For the first 10 minutes of the match, and indeed for most of the first half, Australia was the better team. Alen Stajcic's side, ranked No. 10 in the world, showed no fear against the second-ranked Americans, attacking with style and incision in the opening stages. Taking advantage of gaps between the U.S. back line and midfielders Carli Lloyd and Lauren Holiday, Australia pushed the ball forward to Michelle Heyman in central areas, allowing the striker to play passes into space to her teammates.

A big chance arrived in the fifth minute, when the ball rolled invitingly to Emily van Egmond along the edge of the box. Van Egmond rifled a powerful shot on target, but Solo pushed the ball onto the bar for a key save. 



It was a crucial moment for the U.S., which had been decidedly second best to that point and desperately needed to keep Australia off the scoresheet. In addition, it was an important save, and a bit of personal redemption for Solo, following the latest revelations about her off-pitch problems, as reported by ES...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!