U.S. WNT beats Scotland, finishes 2018 on 28-game unbeaten streak

PAISLEY, Scotland (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Women’s National Team completed an unbeaten 2018 after shutting out a gritty Scotland side, 1-0, on Tuesday night at The Simple Digital Arena. Alex Morgan’s goal in the 39th minute ultimately separated the teams.

The USA had the lion’s share of possession throughout the match, as Scotland dropped 11 players inside its own half for most of the game, making it difficult for the WNT to create opportunities. The U.S. finally broke through when Mallory Pugh sent a perfect cross into the six-yard box for Alex Morgan, who finished with a beautiful full volley for the game-winner and her 18th goal of 2018. Scotland did not manage to get any shots on goal in the half but had two in the second frame.

Scotland made three halftime substitutions and created a few more opportunities, but the USA set the tempo and maintained its lead with some solid defending. In the 62nd minute, Pugh was brought down inside the box, earning a penalty kick for the USA. Carli Lloyd stepped up to take the spot kick but her attempt smashed the cross bar and the USA carried the 1-0 score line to the end of the game.

Up Next: The U.S. players will go into a much-deserved holiday break before the team reconvenes for its annual January training camp, which will take place in Europe. The USA is set to face World Cup host France at Stade Océane in Le Havre on Jan. 19 (2:30 p.m. ET; FS1) to open its 2019 campaign.

Social: Follow the #USWNT onFacebook; Twitter (@ussoccer_wnt;@ussoccer_esp); Instagramand Snapchat (ussoccer_wnt).

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Alex Morgan (Mallory Pugh), 39th minute: The USA finally broke the Scotland rear guard in the 39th minute with a nice bit of possession that allowed Mallory Pugh to send in a long cross from the right wing. Morgan met the service with a thundering full volley into the right side of the net from the top of the six-yard box for her 98th career goal. USA 1, SCO 0. FINAL. WATCH GOAL .

Additional Team Notes:

• The USA finishes 2018 with an unbeaten record of 18-0-2, marking only the fourth time in program history that the USA finishes a calendar year in which it played 10 or more games without a defeat.
• In 2018, the USA collected wins vs. Denmark, Germany, England, Mexico (thrice), China PR (twice), Japan, Brazil, Chile (twice), Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, Portugal and Scotland; and ties against Australia and France. Twelve of the 16 countries the USA faced in 2018 are headed to France for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• The USA is unbeaten in its last 28 matches (25-0-3) and has outscored its opponents 93-17 through that stretch, scoring in all 28 games. Since the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, the USA has failed to score in just one game (vs. Australia at the 2017 ToN) – a 33-game span.
• The WNT hasn’t conceded a goal in 884 minutes, with the last concession coming against Brazil in a 4-1 win at the Tournament of Nations on Aug. 2, 2018.

Additional Player Notes:

• Alex Morgan scored her 18th goal of 2018, second most in a calendar year for her (she scored 28 in 2012) and finishes the year with 98 career goals in 153 caps. She also finishes 2018 leading the USA in minutes played with 1,500. Morgan has scored 25 goals over her last 26 WNT matches, a run that began at the end of 2017. The 25 goals have included six braces and one hat trick.
• Mallory Pugh, who is 20-years-old and earned career cap No. 43rd today, earned her third assist of 2018 and 14th of her career. She scored six goals in 2018.
• Ashlyn Harris earned her fifth career shutout tonight, and second of 2018.

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

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Scotland
Date: November 13, 2018
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: The Simple Digital Arena; Paisley, Scotland
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local)
Attendance: 3,790
Weather: 50 degrees, cloudy

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

USA – Alex Morgan (Mallory Pugh)         39^th minute

Lineups:
USA: 24-Ashlyn Harris; 2-Emily Sonnett (21-Jessica McDonald, 68), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 25-Emily Fox (22-Danielle Colaprico, 76); 8-Julie Ertz, 16-Rose Lavelle, 19-Crystal Dunn; 11-Mallory Pugh, 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.) (3-Sam Mewis, 90+3), 13-Alex Morgan (20-Allie Long, 88)
Substitutes not used: 6-Andi Sullivan, 15-Megan Rapinoe, 18-Adrianna Franch
Head Coach: Jill Ellis

SCO: 1-Lee Alexander (12-Shannon Lynn, 46); 4-Rachel Corsie (capt.), 5-Jennifer Beattie, 7-Hayley Lauder (17-Frankie Brown, 46), 14-Chloe Arthur (2-Kirsty Smith, 46), 6-Jo Love (16-Christie Murray, 66), 9-Caroline Weir, 18-Claire Emslie, 20-Fiona Brown (23-Lizzie Arnot, 84), 22-Erin Cuthbert, 13-Jane Ross (19-Lana Clelland, 75)
Substitutes not used: 21-Jenne Fife, 3-Nicola Docherty, 8-Zoe Ness, 10-Leanne Crichton, 15-Joelle Murray, 24-Sam Kerr
Head Coach: Shelley Kerr

Stats Summary: USA / SCO
Shots: 10 / 8
Shots on Goal: 3 / 2
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 5 / 6
Fouls: 7 / 10
Offside: 2 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
USA – Emily Sonnett (caution)            36^th minute

Officials:
Referee: Amy Fearn (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Franca Overtoom (NED)
Assistant Referee 2: Bianca Bussem-Scheffers (NED)
4th Official: Cheryl Foster (WAL)

ussoccer.com Woman of the Match: Mallory Pugh