USWNT falls to England 1-0 in SheBelieves Cup at Red Bull Arena

HARRISON, N.J. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Women’s National Team continued play at the 2017 SheBelieves Cup dropping its second match, 1-0, against England in front of an electric sold-out crowd of 26,500 fans at a chilly Red Bull Arena.

A fast-paced game from the start, the USA got several chances early, with plays originating primarily from the flanks thanks to Crystal Dunn, Mallory Pugh and Rose Lavelle, who had an excellent performance on her first outing with the WNT. She became the 14th player to earn her first cap under Jill Ellis.

The USA’s best chance in the first half came in the 19th minute when a Dunn cross from the right side of the box ended in front of Lavelle. The 21-year-old received the ball with her midsection and sent a full volley directly to the hands of Siobhan Chamberlain, who responded well to the shot and avoided what seemed like a clear goal opportunity for the U.S.

In the 32nd minute, following a foul against the WNT, England got its chance with a free kick from about 45 yards out on the left of the box. The cross was initially headed out by Julie Johnston, but it quickly found the feet of Nikita Parris inside the six-yard box. Parris’ point-blank shot was saved by an incredibly alert Ashlyn Harris who reacted with sharp precision to maintain the 0-0 draw.

In the second half, it was the U.S. who dominated most of the action, pressing forward and getting several opportunities. However, England capitalized on a late chance when a set piece play led to Ellen White’s game-winner in the 89th minute.

Up Next: The USA will head to Washington D.C. to face France and wrap up the SheBelieves Cup at RFK Stadium on March 7 at 7 p.m. ET on FS1. In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, France and Germany played to a 0-0 draw, making the last date of games a day with everything up for grabs for all four teams.

2017 SheBelieves Cup Standings

Goal Scoring Rundown
ENG – Ellen White, 89th minute: A late corner kick by England was cleared by Tobin Heath and then landed on the feet of Lucy Bronze whose half volley hit the crossbar and bounced down in the box. Ellen White shook off both Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Key Saves and Defensive Stops
ENG – Siobhan Chamberlain,19th minute: Rose Lavelle’s volley seemed to be heading straight for the back of the net, however, it was all Chamberlain as her quick reaction and point-blank save prevented the U.S. goal.

USA – Ashlyn Harris, 32nd minute: England’s free kick attempt was headed out by Julie Johnston, but intercepted by Nikita Parris who took the shot from about three yards out. Ashlyn Harris, however, reacted with a stellar point-blank save to keep the USA out of danger.

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Additional Notes:

• U.S. WNT head coach Jill Ellis made seven changes from the starting 11 that took the field against Germany on March 1, with only Sauerbrunn, Mewis, Dunn and Lloyd returning to the lineup.
• Ellis also made five substitutes with Allie Long, Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Morgan Brian and Lynn Williams all coming on in the second half.
• Last year’s SheBelieves Cup game was a tight one defensively on both sides with the USA firing seven shots to England’s six. The USA had three shots on goal to England’s two. But England had five corner kicks to the USA’s zero. This year’s affair was the opposite as both teams began attacking from the start with both the USA and England finishing with 14 shots each.
• Midfielder Rose Lavelle made her debut for the WNT, playing excellent soccer for the full 90 minutes. She became the first player to earn a first cap in 2017 and the 14th player to earn a first cap from Ellis. Lavelle was the first overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft by the Boston Breakers.
• The backline of Becky Sauerbrunn, Julie Johnston and Ali Krieger started together for the first as a three-back. Sauerbrunn had been playing in a three-back consistently and in a starting role since Oct. 19, 2016. While Johnston and Krieger have also seen some playing time in that formation, this was their first official start in a three-person backline. Sauerbrunn earned her 121st cap, while Johnston earned her 46th, and Krieger got one closer to the 100 mark as she is earned cap No. 97 this evening. They all played the full 90 minutes.
• Samantha Mewis made her eighth career start and earned her 20th cap. For the second consecutive time, she played all 90 minutes in the SheBelieves Cup, playing full time against Germany on March 1 and Saturday against England.
• Crystal Dunn is quickly approaching the half century mark in caps and she made her 48th appearance for the WNT.
• Captaining the USA for the 34th time in her career was Carli Lloyd, who made her 234th international appearance. Lloyd, the most capped player on the U.S. team, is also the top goal-scorer with 96 career goals. Lloyd is just four away from becoming the sixth player in WNT history to score 100 or more goals.
• Lindsey Horan made her first start of the year and second appearance as she came in as a late second-half substitute against Germany on March 1.
• Mallory Pugh and Alex Morgan started up top. This was the first start for Pugh since Aug. 12 against Sweden at the 2016 Olympics and her 19th cap. Pugh spent most of last fall with the U-20 WNT as she captained the team at the U-20 FIFA WWC in Papua New Guinea.

-U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report-

Match: Women’s National Team vs. England
Date: March 4, 2017
Competition: SheBelieves Cup
Venue: Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.
Kickoff: 5:22 p.m. ET
Attendance: 26,500
Weather: 26 degrees; chilly

Scoring Summary:       1          2          F
USA                             0          0          0
ENG                             0          1          1

ENG – Ellen White                   89th minute

Lineups:
USA: 24-Ashlyn Harris; 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 8-Julie Johnston, 11-Ali Krieger; 19-Crystal Dunn (12-Lynn Williams, 64), 3-Samantha Mewis (20-Allie Long, 77), 9-Lindsey Horan (6-Morgan Brian, 77), 16-Rose Lavelle, 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.) (17-Tobin Heath, 76); 2-Mallory Pugh, 13-Alex Morgan (23-Christen Press, 63)
Subs not used: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 5-Kelley O’Hara, 7-Casey Short, 14-Jessica McDonald, 15-Emily Sonnett, 18-Jane Campbell, 22-Brianna Pinto
Head coach: Jill Ellis

ENG: 13-Siobhan Chamberlain; 3-Demi Stokes, 4-Lucy Bronze, 5-Steph Houghton (capt.), 7-Jordan Nobbs (8-Jade Moore, 90+3), 10-Izzy Christiansen (6-Millie Bright, 90+2), 15-Laura Bassett, 17-Fara Williams, 19-Toni Duggan (11-Ellen White, 76), 20-Karen Carney (18-Jill Scott, 63), 22-Nikita Parris (9-Jodie Taylor, 77)
Subs not used: 1-Karen Bardsley, 21-Mary Earps, 12-Rachel Daly, 14-Casey Stoney, 16-Gemma Bonner, 23-Rachel Williams
Head coach: Mark Sampson

Stats Summary: USA / ENG
Shots: 14 / 14
Shots on Goal: 2 / 3
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 2 / 2
Fouls: 11 / 7
Offside: 1 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Carli Lloyd (caution)                  68th minute

Officials:
Referee: Quetzalli Alvarado (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Lixy Enriques (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Mayte Chavez (MEX)
4th Official: Lucila Venegas (MEX)

Budweiser Woman of the Match: Rose Lavelle

2017 SheBelieves Cup Standings