U.S. WNT earns 2-2 draw vs. England in SheBelieves Cup

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Women’s National Team fought to a second consecutive 2-2 draw, this time against England in front of 22,125 fans on Saturday afternoon in the second game of Matchday 2 at the 2019 SheBelieves Cup.

In a match between two of the world’s best teams, the USA had the upper hand for most of the game, creating far more danger inside the attacking half and was rewarded with a spectacular goal by Megan Rapinoe in the 33rd minute. England responded less than three minutes later after U.S. goalkeeper Adrianna Franch inadvertently picked up a back pass and the referee gave an indirect free kick inside the penalty area. Steph Houghton’s clinical finish sent the match into the break tied at 1-1.

In the second half, England’s Nikita Parris slipped behind the U.S. defense to put the Lionesses up 2-1 in the 56th minute, but the USA created the equalizer in the 67th off a corner kick courtesy of Tobin Heath after a wild scramble inside the box.

The USA out-shot England 20-6 and had six corner kicks to England’s one. England scored on two of its three shots on goal after Japan scored on its only two shots on goal in the 2-2 draw on Feb. 27. Both teams battled for the winner, with large crowd urging the U.S. forward in the final minutes, but ultimately had to settle for a well-fought draw, leaving England in second place in the SheBelieves table with four points and the U.S. in third with two. Japan’s 3-1 win vs. Brazil lifted the Nadeshiko into first place based on goals scored, while Brazil sits fourth.

In celebration of the SheBelieves spirit, the U.S. WNT wore jerseys bearing the names of powerful, influential, iconic and inspirational women during the game. Each member of the team selected the name of a woman who has inspired them and wore that name on the back of their jersey. The choices ranged from activists to Nobel Prize winners, to artists, athletes and trailblazers, from historic to contemporary, and features women who hail from diverse backgrounds and champion a variety of causes.

2019 SheBelieves Cup Standings

Up Next: The WNT will wrap up the 2019 SheBelieves Cup against Brazil in Tamp Fla. On March 5 (8 p.m. ET; FS1) at Raymond James Stadium. England will take on Japan in the earlier game of the day (5 p.m. ET; ussoccer.com). The USA will need a draw between Japan and England, and a victory over Brazil, plus an edge in the tie-breaker, to win the tournament.

Social: Follow the #USWNT on Facebook; Twitter and Instagram.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Megan Rapinoe, 33rd minute: Kelley O’Hara crossed the ball into the middle where England’s Rachel Daly headed it outside of the 18-yard box. Rapinoe controlled the ball with her chest as she moved forward and then struck a powerful half-volley inside the left post to open the scoring. The show was hit with such pace that England goalkeeper Karen Bardsely did not even make a move for the ball. USA 1, ENG 0. WATCH.

ENG – Stephanie Houghton (Toni Duggan), 36th minute: Just after the U.S. goal, U.S. goalkeeper Adrianna Franch handled a long back pass from Kelley O’Hara and the referee gave an indirect free kick inside the penalty area, about 15 yards from goal on the left side. Duggan rolled the ball short to the right and Houghton took her chance perfectly, bending the ball around the charging Megan Rapinoe and the U.S. wall into the lower right corner past the diving Franch. USA 1, ENG 1. WATCH.

ENG – Nikita Parris (Fran Kirby), 52nd: Kirby received the ball 15 yards above the penalty area and sent a quick one-touch pass behind the U.S. defender to Parris, who controlled the ball on the right side before sending her shot just inside the far post.  USA 1, ENG 2. WATCH.

USA – Tobin Heath, 67th minute: A scramble in the box saw Tierna Davidson, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath all take shots at the goal. Rachel Daly cleared Heath’s attempt right before it crossed the goal line, but the ball went right back to Heath, who was able to poke the ball in for the game-tying score. USA 2, ENG 2. WATCH. FINAL.

Additional Notes:

• Megan Rapinoe scored her 43rd career goal and second of 2019 in what was her 148th international appearance.
• Tobin Heath scored her first goal of 2019 and 26th of her career in her 145th international appearance.
• Since the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, the USA has failed to score in just one game (vs. Australia at the 2017 ToN). That’s a 36-game span.

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

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. England
Date: March 2, 2019
Competition: 2019 SheBelieves Cup
Venue: Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 3:55 p.m. CT
Attendance: 22,125
Weather:  43 degrees; Cloudy

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

USA – Megan Rapinoe                                     33^rd minute
ENG – Steph Houghton (Toni Duggan)           36
ENG – Nikita Parris (Fran Kirby)                      52
USA – Tobin Heath                                           67

Lineups:
USA: 21-Adrianna Franch, 5-Kelley O’Hara (4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 60), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 8-Julie Ertz, 11-Mallory Pugh (23-Christen Press, 55), 12-Tierna Davidson, 13-Alex Morgan, 15-Megan Rapinoe (capt.), 16-Rose Lavelle (3-Samantha Mewis, 64), 17-Tobin Heath, 19-Crystal Dunn (10-Carli Lloyd, 87)
Substitutes: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 24-Ashlyn Harris, 2-Emily Sonnett, 6-Andi Sullivan, 14-Casey Short, 20-Jessica McDonald, 22-Emily Fox, 25-McCall Zerboni
Head coach: Jill Ellis

ENG: 1-Karen Bardsley, 2-Lucy Bronze, 4-Keira Walsh, 5-Steph Houghton (capt.), 6-Abbie McManus, 7-Nikita Parris (9- Jodie Taylor, 88), 10-Fran Kirby (22-Beth Mead, 73), 11-Toni Duggan, 12-Demi Stokes, 17-Rachel Daly, 18-Ellen White (19-Georgia Stanway, 80)
Substitutes: 13-Carly Telford, 21-Mary Earps, 3-Alex Greenwood, 8-Izzy Christiansen, 14-Gemma Bonner, 15-Leah Williamson, 16-Chioma Ubogagu, 20-Karen Carney, 23-Lucy Stanforth
Head coach: Phil Neville

Stats Summary: USA / ENG
Shots: 20 / 6
Shots on Goal: 5 / 3
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 5 / 1
Fouls: 7/ 7
Offside: 2/ 1

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Marianela Araya (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Kimberly Moreira (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Karen Diaz (MEX)
4th Official: Katia Garcia (MEX)

Woman of the Match: Julie Ertz