The U.S. Women’s National Team moves on to the round of 16 in the FIFA 2019 Women’s World Cup, following their 3-0 victory against Chile today at Parc des Princes, in Paris, France.
Carli Lloyd became the first player ever to score in six-consecutive Women’s World Cup matches, scoring twice in the game. Midfielder Julie Ertz also scored, netting her first World Cup goal ever.
U.S. head coach Jill Ellis made seven changes to the starting lineup that she used against Thailand last Thursday. Becky Sauerbrunn returned to action on the defensive line, joined by Ali Kreiger and Tierna Davidson. Lloyd, Christen Press, and Mallory Pugh started as forwards and Morgan Brian started in the midfield.
The U.S. dominated play and took 25 shots, compared to just one by Chile. The score could have been much higher, if not for the brilliant play by Chilean goalkeeper, Christiane Endler, who made six saves.
Carli Lloyd scored twice in the game, becoming the first player ever to score in six-consecutive Women’s World Cup matches (photo by Jeff Wong).
Lloyd’s first goal came in the 11th minute after Abby Dahlkemper served a ball deep into the box and Chilean defender Su Helen Galaz headed the ball down, with Lloyd able to run onto it and drive a half-volley into the left side of the goal.
Ertz sent a hard header into the goal off a corner kick from Davidson in the 26th minute and Lloyd headed in another of Davidson’s corner kicks in the 35th minute, giving Davidson two assists in the match.
Chile had a goal called back for offsides in the first half, after U.S. goalkeeper Anissa Naeher came out after a ball on a Chilean free kick and completely missed it.
Except for the backup goalkeepers, all of the U.S. squad has now seen playing time in this World Cup. When asked in the post-game press conference about her decision to rotate so many players, Ellis said that it was both a morale issue for the team, as well as a strategic decision to rest players due to the amount of games being played in a short time.
“If you want to go far in the tournament, you gotta have legs,” Ellis said.”So, I think that any time you can rest players or get players to, you know, less of a load, knowing that it’s still pretty quick turnaround.”
Ellis was also asked about the effect of switching out so many players on the team’s momentum.
“I don’t have any concerns in terms of losing any rhythm or having those players that didn’t play today prepared and hungry and ready to go,” Ellis replied.
The U.S. is now leading Group F, tied with Sweden on points, but leading because of the goal differential. The Americans will play Sweden on Thursday, June 20 at Stade Océane, Le Havre.
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