USWNT opens Send-Off Series with 3-0 win over South Africa

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Women’s National Team kicked off its three-game Send-Off Series, with a 3-0 win against South Africa in front of 22,788 fans on a beautiful Mother’s Day Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

The USA dominated the entire game and made their initial breakthrough in the 37th minute when Rose Lavelle slipped a ball to the top of the area for Samantha Mewis, who finished with a low shot inside the right post.

Mewis got on the scoreboard again in the second half when her upfield pressure paid off and she was able to take advantage of a poor clearance by the South Africa goalkeeper. Carli Lloyd then buried a late strike through three South Africa players to cement the final 3-0 scoreline and move into fourth on the WNT’s all-time goals scored list. The U.S. finished the match out-shooting South Africa 19-5 and accumulating 70 percent of possession.

Up Next: The WNT travels to St. Louis, Missouri to take on New Zealand on May 16 (7 p.m. CT; ESPN2) at Busch Stadium in the second game of the Send-Off Series, Presented by Volpi Foods.

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

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Samantha Mewis (Rose Lavelle), 37th minute: The USA’s dominance in possession finally paid off as Lavelle slipped a pass to the top of the penalty area where Mewis collected, beat a player to the inside and then struck her right-footed shot on the ground and into the lower right corner from 20 yards out. It was the 10th international goal of her career. USA 1, RSA 0. WATCH GOAL .

USA – Samantha Mewis: 78th mnute: Megan Rapinoe sent a cross to the middle of the box where the South Africa goalkeeper was able to get a hand on the ball, but her deflection wasn’t enough and an incoming Mewis was able to get on the ball and tap it to the back of the net. USA 2, RSA 0. WATCH GOAL .

USA – Carli Lloyd (Mallory Pugh), 92^nd minute: Megan Rapinoe crossed the ball into the heart of the box where it was cleared right to Mallory Pugh who was able to evade a defender and get a shot toward goal. Lloyd trapped the shot, took a few touches and then chopped a shot that went between the legs of the goalkeeper and past a defender on the goal line on its way into the net. USA 3, RSA 0 FINAL

Additional Notes:

• Samantha Mewis scored her second career brace. Her first came on Oct. 22, 2017 when she scored twice vs. Korea Republic. She now has three goals in 2019 and 11 international goals. It was her 48th international appearance.
• Carli Lloyd’s strike in second half added time was the 108^th of her career and moved her past Michelle Akers into fourth place on the WNT’s all-time goals scored list.
• Rose Lavelle earned her fourth career assist for the WNT and her second of 2019.
• Mallory Pugh earned her first assist of the year on Lloyd’s goal in her 51^st career cap.
• The game marked Alyssa Naeher’s 23rd career shutout.

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

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. South Africa
Date: May 12, 2019
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Levi’s Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. PT
Attendance: 22,788
Weather: 71 degrees; Sunny

Scoring Summary: 1   2   F
USA                          1   2   3
RSA                          0   0   0

USA – Samantha Mewis (Rose Lavelle)  37^th minute
USA – Samantha Mewis                          78
USA – Carli Lloyd (Mallory Pugh)            90+2

Lineups:
USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 5-Kelley O’Hara (12-Tierna Davidson, 46), 7-Abby Dahlkemper (20-Allie Long, 46), 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 19-Crystal Dunn; 8-Julie Ertz, 3-Samantha Mewis, 16-Rose Lavelle (14-Emily Sonnett, 60); 17-Tobin Heath (15-Megan Rapinoe, 46), 13-Alex Morgan (capt.) (10-Carli Lloyd, 60), 23-Christen Press (2-Mallory Pugh, 77)
Substitutes not used: 6-Morgan Brian, 9-Lindsey Horan, 11-Ali Krieger; 18-Ashlyn Harris, 21-Adrianna Franch, 22-Jessica McDonald
Head coach: Jill Ellis

RSA: 16-Andile Dlamini (20-Kaylin Swart, 68); 2-Lebohang Ramalepe, 3-Nothando Vilakazi, 4-Noko Matlou (13-Bambanani Mbane, 53), 5-Janine Van Wyk (capt.); 12-Jermaine Seoposenwe, 15- Refiloe Jane, 19-Kholosa Biyana, 22- Rhoda Mulaudzi (7-Karabo Dhlamini, 52); 9-Amanda Mthandi (8-Ode Fulutudilu, 78), 10-Sibulele Holweni (23-Mapula Kgoale, 74)
Substitutes not used: 1-Mapaseka Mpuru, 6-Mamello Makhabane, 11-Ongeziwe Ndlangisa, 14-Tiisetso Makhubela, 17-Bongeka Gamede, 18-Nompumelelo Nyandeni, 21-Busisiwe Ndimeni
Head coach: Desiree Ellis

Stats Summary: USA / RSA
Shots: 19 / 5
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 8 / 0
Fouls: 10 / 7
Offside: 2 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Odette Hamilton (JAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Deleana Quan (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Brooke Mayo (USA)
4th Official: Karen Abt (USA)

Woman of the Match: Samantha Mewis