U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team earns 2-0 win over China PR in Tricontinental Cup

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team defeated China PR 2-0 to kick off the 2020 Tricontinental Cup. Defender Karly Reeves put the USA on the board early, while Maggie Graham nabbed an insurance goal in the 65th.

In the other game of the tournament’s first matchday, the Netherlands rolled Norway 5-1, as Ella Peddemors bagged a brace. The Dutch led 5-0 in the 90th when Norway found a consolation goal.

2020 TRICONTINENTAL CUP STANDINGS

The USA faces Norway on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed on Twitterand YouTube.

The U.S. opened the scoring in the seventh minute with an opportunity off a free kick from about 40 yards out. After some trickery on the set piece, Aislynn Crowder bombed the ball towards goal. It bounced before the net and China goalkeeper Yixin Hao deflected it, but Reeves pounced on the rebound to give the U-18 WNT an early lead.

The USA doubled its advantage midway through the second half. Playing out of the back, Sydney Jones played a great ball up the sideline to a sprinting Reilyn Turner. The speedy forward dashed past her defender and turned the corner towards goal before firing a cross to the far post. Graham was there to hammer it home and help secure three points for the USA.

-U.S. UNDER-18 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT-

Match: U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team vs. China PR
Date: January 25, 2020
Competition: 2020 Tricontinental Cup
Venue: Premier Sports Campus; Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 58 degrees, clear
Attendance: 175

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

USA – Karly Reeves                                           7th minute
USA – Maggie Graham (Reilyn Turner)               65

LINEUPS:

USA: 1-Mia Justus (Capt.), 16-Sydney Jones, 19-Karly Reeves, 5-Maddy Perez, 3-Sam Kroeger, 6-Emily Mathews (13-Aki Yuasa, 79), 8-Aisylnn Crowder (10-Maggie Graham, 46), 15-Mollie Griswold (14-Dasia Torbert, 35), 11- Dilary Heredia-Beltran, 9-Reilyn Turner (20-Grace Watkins, 66), 7- Quincy McMahon (18-Michelle Cooper, 79)

Subs not used: 2-Sally Menti, 4-Tabtha LaParl, 12-Leah Freeman, 17-Nya Harrison.

Head Coach: Chris Petrucelli

CHN: 22-Yixin Hao, 19-Zhenni Wu, 5-Xiaoxu Huang, 4-Mengqing Zhou, 2-Yuxin Hou, 27-Jingtong Zhao, 8-Wei Liang (23-Tianai Zheng, 84), 12-Han Su, 10-Menglu Shen (7-Xiaoya Tan, 90), 9-Min Yang (26-Yanan Zhao, 59), 20- Jingling Wu

Subs not used:  3-Huilin Wu, 6-Jiapei Xue, 11-Jing Cai, 13-Shiyi Li, 16-Xiaoqian Jiao, 31-Zitong Xiao

Head Coach: Wang Jun

Stats Summary: USA / CHN                              
Shots: 14 / 8
Shots on Goal: 9 / 3
Saves: 3 / 6
Corner Kicks: 3 / 1
Fouls: 3 / 9
Offside: 2 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Samantha Martinez (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Tiffani Turpin (USA)
Fourth Official: Gloria Martinez (USA)