Megan Rapinoe’s brace carried the United States past Australia.
By Ivan Yeo
It wasn’t the best from the United States Women’s National team, but they will certainly take the three points.
The second-ranked U.S. got off to a bit off a slow start in its World Cup opener against 10th-ranked Australia at Winnipeg Stadium on Monday, and there were times where the Matildas looked to be the better squad.
However, in the end, the U.S. showed why they’re considered one of the favorites in the tournament. Led by the foot of Megan Rapinoe and the hands of Hope Solo, the U.S. took control of the match in the second half and the Americans got a crucial three points courtesy of a 3-1 win over Australia.
The U.S. got on the board due to a fortunate bounce in the 12th minute. Rapinoe took a ball from Abby Wambach near midfield, then evaded Emily Van Egemond with a spin move while controlling the ball. Rapinoe too a short sprint before firing a shot that deflected off an Australia defender and into the back net as Australia goalkeeper Melissa Barbaieri was initially caught flat-footed on the deflection and could not recover in time to stop the shot.
Australia however had an answer in the 27th minute. Michelle Heyman held a ball inside the penalty area, then laid a ball to an unmarked Lisa DeVanna, who buried the shot to her near post for the equalizer.
The U.S. however answered the call in the second half. The Americans edged back ahead in the 61st minute, as Sydney Leroux sprinted down the left side, then played a ball back to Christen Press, and she one-timed a volley that beat Barbieri far post to put the U.S. back in front. Rapinoe sealed the three points for the U.S. in the 78th minute, as Rapinoe dribbled on a counter-attack into the penalty area, then fired off a left foot that beat Barbieri far post.
Rapinoe was not the only U.S. player that had a good evening in Winnipeg. Goalkeeper Solo was also huge for the Americans between the pipes, asserting herself just five minutes into the match, as Van Egemond fired a volley inside the penalty area, but Solo parried the shot off the crossbar. Another big save by Solo occurred a minute after the U.S. scored first, as Samantha Kerr tracked down a ball lobbed into the penalty area and touched a ball towards the far post, but Solo dove to her left to make the save.
The U.S. now prepares for perhaps it’s toughest challenge in the group, as they take on fifth-ranked Sweden on Friday, also in Winnipeg.
The Swede drew a a compelling opener with Nigeria 3-3.
