Women’s World Cup: U.S. defeats Australia, 3-1

washingtonpost.com ^ | JUNE 8, 2015 | Des Bieler

[Berlin_Freeper]

The U.S. dodged its first bullet in the World Cup’s “Group of Death” Monday, pulling away from Australia, 3-1. The Matildas gave the team all it could handle for the first hour of the game, but a goal by Christen Press in the 61st minute signaled a shift toward U.S. dominance.

Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo were the standout performers for the U.S., the former with two goals, and the latter with several huge saves, especially early in the game, when her team was largely outplayed. Another highlight for the U.S. fans who made up the vast majority of the announced crowd of 31,148 at Winnipeg Stadium was a late-game appearance by Alex Morgan, who had sat out the USWNT’s past three games with a knee injury.

[Berlin_Freeper]

As so often is the case with opponents playing against USA, the Madildas started off fanatical because of a general inferiority complex against Americans. But of course that level of hypertension could not be maintained.

Well done USA!

[Berlin_Freeper]

2015 Women’s World Cup running thread here.

[sphinx]

Glad to get the win, but the U.S. played too much long ball. Solo kept them alive in the first half and Australia wore down, but had they cashed one of those early chances, the U.S. would have been in trouble. Long ball isn’t going to win this tournament. And I don’t think Abby will be a factor against the stronger teams that have someone to mark her around the goals.