U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team falls to England 1-0

CARSON, Calif. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team lost 1-0 to England in the second match for both teams at the 2016 U-20 Women’s NTC Invitational. Brazil and the Korea Republic drew 1-1 in the first match of the evening which means England wins the tournament after just two games. England has the full six points from two matches while the Korea Republic is in second place with two points from two draws.

As happened against the Korea Republic in the 0-0 draw to open the tournament, the USA had a large portion of possession and put consistent pressure on the opponent’s goal in the second half, but once again could not manufacture a goal.

After U.S. forward Jessie Scarpa had a goal disallowed for offside in the 65^th minute, England scored the only goal of the game a bit against the run of play. Sarah Mayling was able to shake loose from a U.S. defender on the right side and played a cross on the ground in front of the U.S. goal. U.S. goalkeeper Casey Murphy, who once again had a solid match in the U.S. nets, dove but could not get enough of the ball to turn it out of danger and Coral-Jade Haines bundled the ball into an open net.

+Read: USWNT defeats the Netherlands 3-1 on Sunday in Atlanta

Mallory Pugh, a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team who became the youngest American soccer player to score in an Olympic Games, entered the match in the 75^th minute and immediately put pressure on the England back line. Pugh, who is at the tail end of her recovery from an ankle injury suffered in the Olympics, had several dangerous forays down the right side and an excellent chance to score when she latched onto a loose ball in the England defensive third, but shot directly at the goalkeeper.

The final match day of the tournament is on Sept. 18 when the Korea Republic plays England (1 p.m. PT) and the USA faces Brazil (4 p.m. PT). All the matches are being played on the Glenn “Mooch” Myernick Field at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Admission is free and all the games are being streamed live on ussoccer.com.

The USA, Brazil and the Korea Republic are currently preparing for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which will be held in Papua New Guinea from November 13-Dec. 3. England did not qualify. The USA is in Group C in PNG with France, Ghana and New Zealand.

Players eligible for the 2016 U-20 Women’s NTC Invitational must have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1996, which is the age cut-off for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

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

Match: U.S. Under-20 WNT vs. Under-20 England WNT
Date: September 16, 2016 
Competition: Under-20 Women’s NTC Invitational
Venue: Glenn “Mooch” Myernick Field; Carson, Calif.
Weather: 60 degrees, clear 

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

ENG – Coral-Jade Haines (Sarah Mayling)                           78^th minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Casey Murphy, 2-Ellie Jean, 3-Kaleigh Riehl, 4-Maddie Elliston, 5-Katie Cousins (18-Shea Moyer, 85), 6-Taylor Otto (20-Natalie Jacobs, 59), 7-Sabrina Flores (16-Emily Fox, 46), 8-Marley Canales (11-Julie Doyle, 59), 10-Emily Ogle (capt.), 15-Jessie Scarpa (13-Parker Goins, 85), 17-Kelcie Hedge (9-Mallory Pugh, 75)
Subs not used: 12- Brooke Heinsohn, 22- Rose Chandler
Head Coach: Michelle French

ENG: 1-Sophie Baggaley; 2-Eloise Wilson (15- Elisha N’Dow, 71), 3-Jessica Carter, 4-Jodie Brett, 5-Molly Bartrip (capt.), 6-Gabrielle George, 10-Katie Zelem, 11-Rosella Ayane (7-Carla Humphrey, 66), 12-Jenna Dear, 16-Sarah Mayling (14-Millie Turner, 89), 19-Natasha Flint (17-Coral-Jade Haines, 66)
Subs not used: 8-Georgia Allen, 13-Demi Lambourne,18-Elizabeth Hepple, 20-Georgia Brougham
Head Coach: Mo Marley 

Statistical Summary: USA / ENG
Shots: 8 / 8
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Saves: 4 / 3
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Fouls: 5 / 13
Offside: 4 / 1 

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Becky Pagan (USA)
Asst. Referee 1: Kelsey Harms (USA)
Asst. Referee 2: Kali Langevin (USA)
4^th Official: Maggie Short (USA)

2016 U-20 Women’s NTC Invitational Standings