Los Angeles, CA- The U.S. Women’s National Team came out ahead against their first-time rivals Belgium as they celebrated a 6-0 win in front of 20,941 fans at Banc of California Stadium.
The victory was paired with a celebration of the 1999 Women’s World Cup Team, who were honored at halftime to recognize the 20th anniversary of their championship.
“Having the 99ers here is so surreal, I think that we owe them a lot and they have really paved the way for this team,” said U.S. midfielder Sam Mewis in a post-match interview. “Being on this team means so much to me, it means so much to all of us and it’s really because of what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve made it into and so it was a huge honor having them here.”
Belgium came into this match looking strong, having not been scored on in their past 10 matches. However, they lost their clean sheet early as U.S. forward Carli Lloyd scored in the 14th minute off a header from the penalty area, which gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
Jessica McDonald celebrates, scoring the last goal of the USWNT’s match against Belgium (photo by Dante’y Buitureida)
Throughout the match, the U.S. showed primary dominance of ball possession and when needed, made quick clearances against their opponents. Midfielder Crystal Dunn made a long run down the left side of the field and crossed to the center where Lloyd scored her second goal on another header.
With the U.S. up 2-0, opportunities were being created, some set up by U.S. defender Tierna Davidson who made crosses to the offense. Belgium slowed down the pace of the ball movement to regroup, but their plays only seemed to set up the U.S.
Lindsey Horan would also score on a header to extend the lead 3-0 in the 25th minute. Several minutes later, Belgium defender Davina Philtjens made a run towards the goal and almost ended the clear score for the U.S. until Julie Ertz came in hot with the clearance.
Midfielder Samantha Mewis made the 4-0 goal look too easy as she headed in a ball from Christen Press’ free kick.
After the half, Lloyd and Morgan worked together in the passing game with Lloyd setting up Morgan to score her 101st goal and bringing the lead to 5-0. Shortly after, Morgan took a right-footed shot, but was deflected by Belgium goalkeeper Nicky Evrard.
Press took another kick for the U.S. and clipped the ball to the center where forward Jessica McDonald finished off the ball with a header to score the last goal of the night, bringing the final to 6-0.
“I think a lot of the players who stepped in played really well and stepped into the occasion Carli, Sam, Tierna, a lot of those players really showed well tonight and we need everyone to be at their best in the World Cup,” Morgan said. “It’s great to see their faces on the field for 90 minutes and dominating out there.”
Christen Press tangles with Belgium midfielder Maud Coutereels during their international friendly April 7, 2019 (Photo by Dante’y Buitureida).
The U.S. now have three matches to go before the 2019 Women’s World Cup. During tonight’s match, EPSN announced that Ellis will have the roster by their next match, May 12 as they face South Africa.
“In terms of some of the rotations we did, it’s just looking again at different pairings, we want to make sure we get as many looks as we can,” Ellis said. “I think part of it is also giving other player opportunities and fresh legs to come into this game.”
With Ellis’ decision to narrow the roster down to 23 players, those selected will be getting an extra bonus of $31,250 from LUNA Bar in support to “make a difference that matters.”
The USWNT will go back to their clubs as the NWSL season kicks off this weekend and will resume play in a month as the U.S. travels to Santa Clara, CA to face South Africa.
For photo gallery of the match click here.
BOOKING SUMMARY:
USA-Carli Lloyd, 64’ – yellow card
BEL-Maud Coutereels – yellow card
SCORING SUMMARY:
USA-Carli Lloyd, 14’
USA-Carli Lloyd, 19’
USA-Lindsey Horan, 25’
USA-Samantha Mewis, 32’
USA-Alex Morgan, 51’
USA-Jessica McDonald, 90’
USA: #1-Alyssa Naeher (#24-Ashlyn Harris, 46’), #3-Samantha Mewis (#25-McCall Zerboni, 73’) , #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #8-Julie Ertz (#7-Abby Dahlkemper, 46’), #9-Lindsey Horan (#20-Allie Long, 60’), #10-Carli Lloyd (C), #11-Ali Krieger, #12-Tierna Davidson, #19-Crystal Dunn (#13-Alex Morgan, 46’), #22-Mallory Pugh (#26-Jessica McDonald, 61’), #23-Christen Press
Subs not used: #2-Emily Sonnett, #6-Andi Sullivan, #17-Tobin Heath
Head coach: Jill Ellis
BELGIUM: #21-Nicky Evrard, #2-Davina Philtjens (#5-Shari Van Belle, 59’), #4-Heleen Jacques (#17-Maud Coutereels, 59’), #6-Tine De Caigny (#3-Ella Van Kerkhoven, 80’), #9-Tessa Wullaert (C), #11-Janice Cayman, #18-Laura De Neve, #19-Chloe Vande Velde (#13-Elena Dhont, 46’), #20-Julie Biesmans, #22-Laura Deloose (#16-Sarah Wijnants, 85’), #23-Kassandra Missipo (#8-Lenie Onzia, 86’)
Subs not used: #1-Justien Odeurs, #12-Lisa Lichtfus, #14-Davinia Vanmechelen
Head coach: Ives Serneels
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Refereee: Ekaterina Koroleva (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Kathryn Nesbitt (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Felisha Mariscal (USA)
4th Official: Karen Abt (USA)
TOTAL SHOTS: US 17-4 BEL
SHOTS ON GOAL: US 8-0 BEL
FOULS: US 6-10 BEL
OFFSIDES: US 1-2 BEL
CORNER KICKS: US 4-2 BEL
SAVES: US 0-2 BEL
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