Pugh, Racioppi score as U.S. U-20 WNT defeats Brazil at NTC Invitational

CARSON, California (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team defeated its counterpart from Brazil, 2-1, in its third and final game of the 2015 U-20 Women’s NTC Invitational.  With the win, the USA took second place in the tournament behind Japan, which won its three games by a combined 16-0 margin. Brazil finished third and Mexico fourth.

Mallory Pugh scored the game-winner for the second consecutive game, this one coming in the 74th minute after she won a tackle deep inside her own half and took off on 80-yard run all the way into the six-yard box at the other end. She out-raced several defenders on the way, put another on the ground with a nice hesitation move inside the penalty area, and then cut back into the middle before bending her shot into the left corner from close range.

The USA had taken a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute after winning the ball in Brazil’s defensive third and Megan Buckingham played a pass wide right to Pugh. She got around the corner and served the ball near post to a crashing Taylor Racioppi, who finished well to put the USA up early.

Brazil equalized off a corner kick from Gabriela Silva in the 57th minute as she flicked a ball with her head that was served from the left and looped it into the right side of the net.

All of the teams are currently preparing for 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying.

– U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team vs. Brazil Under-20 Women’s National Team
Date: June 6, 2015
Competition: 2015 U-20 Women’s NTC Invitational
Venue: Glenn “Mooch” Myernick Field; Carson, California
Attendance: 250
Weather: 70 degrees; Windy

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

USA – Taylor Racioppi (Mallory Pugh)                          21st minute
BRA – Gabriela Silva                                                         57
USA – Mallory Pugh                                                           74

Lineups:
USA: 18-Casey Murphy; 6-Sabrina Flores, 4-Natalie Jacobs, 19-Kaleigh Riehl, 22-Courtney Petersen; 8-Parker Roberts, 16-Savannah DeMelo (12-Emily Ogle, 59), 14-Megan Buckingham (10-Marley Canales, 46), 9-Mallory Pugh; 13-Jordan Harr (7-Kelcie Hedge, 57), 11-Taylor Racioppi (17-Ashley Sanchez, 69)
Subs not used: 1-Sam Leshnak, 2-Maddie Elliston, 3-Alana Cook, 5-Mikaela Harvey, 15-Hana Kerner
Head Coach: Michelle French

BRA: 12-Carla Maria Silva; 3-Karen Bender, 4-Menezes Beatriz, 6-Yasmin Ribeiro, 7-Brena Carolina Oliveira; 8-Julia Bianchi, 9-Kelen Bender (11-Tabatha Silva, 46), 10-Gabriela Silva, 14-Caroline Matos;15-Bruna Calderan, 16-Marjorie Boilesen (18-Ottilia Grassetti, 83)
Subs Not Used: 1-Amanda Souza, 2-Isabela Queroz, 13-Giovanna Campiolo, 17-Erika Abreu, 19-Thiellen Nascimento
Head Coach: Dorival Bueno

Stats Summary: USA / BRA
Shots: 3 / 3
Shots on Goal: 3 / 3
Saves: 3/ 1
Corner Kicks: 12 / 3
Fouls: 17 / 8
Offside: 0 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Parker Roberts (caution)                       51st minute

Officials:
Referee: Jasmine Peralta (USA)
Assistant No. 1: Jennifer Politz (USA)
Assistant No. 2: Michelle Gonzalez (USA)
Fourth Official: Karen Abt (USA)