USA win the Tournament of Nations 4-1 against Brazil

US Women’s Soccer Team celebrate winning the Tournament of Nations (photo by Don Mac Gregor).

BRIDGEVIEW, IL–The US Women put on a clinic before 18,309 at Toyota Park as they eventually strolled to a 4-1 win over Brazil and winning the 2018 Tournament of Nations.

It was actually Brazil who took the lead after just 16 minutes after Beatriz’s cross on a counter was accidentally knocked in by Tierna Davidson. Apart from that, it was mostly USA in attack and it started to pay off in the 33rd minute. Lindsay Horan sent a cross to an unmarked Rose Lavelle to equalize.

The second half was all USA and it started with Tobin Heath sending a looping cross in front of goal to the Red Stars’ Julie Ertz to put the USA ahead on 53 minutes. Eight minutes later, Heath turned goalscorer after a drilling one from just outside the area.

Alex Morgan was left wide open in the 77th minute by the Brazilian defense and had an easy finish to complete the scoring.

“I just feel overall really good about the team performance,” said USA head coach Jill Ellis. “It really felt like that on both sides of the ball in our attacking and our defending this whole tournament. It’s probably the most complete tournament in terms of our play that we’ve had. We just feel like we’ve taken really big steps, but having that depth, we’re going to need depth and we’re going to need talented players and in that attacking fold we have a phenomenal group.”

In the earlier match, Australia defeated Japan, 2-0, to eventually finish second to the USA. Alanna Kennedy of the Orlando Pride opened the scoring in the 47th minute. In the 81st minute, Japanese goalkeeper Chika Hirao headed 40 yards out of her goal as she saw Sam Kerr making a run. Hirao did not make it and Kerr had an open net to make it 2-0.

The Matildas—already qualified for next year’s Women’s World Cup along with Japan—are looking like one of the potential darkhorses in not a favorite.

“Look we’re as good as we want to be,” said Kerr after the match. “There’s no real boundaries on our team at the moment. We have a few priorities before France. One of them is to get a break. I think you could tell today that we were a bit tired, and we weren’t our normal selves.”

With the Tournament of Nations concluded, soccer fans in the Chicagoland area can see Australia’s Sam Kerr as well as the USA’s Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, Casey Short, and Morgan Brian with the Red Stars on Friday, August 10th against the league-leading North Carolina Courage at 7pm at Toyota Park.

On this night, the USA are looking like the team everyone expects them to be as they being their road to France.

SCORING SUMMARY:

BRA-Tierna Davidson (own goal) 16

USA-Rose Lavelle (Horan) 33

USA-Julie Ertz (Heath) 53

USA-Tobin Heath (Morgan) 61

USA-Alex Morgan (Rapinoe) 77

BOOKING SUMMARY:

USA-Crystal Dunn (caution, tactical foul) 12

BRA-Camila (caution, tactical foul) 44

BRA-Tayla (caution, tactical foul) 74

UNITED STATES (4-3-3): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #22-Emily Sonnett, #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #12-Tierna Davidson, #19-Crystal Dunn (#7-Abby Dahlkemper 88); #16-Rose Lavelle (#5-McCall Zerboni 46), #2-Julie Ertz, #9-Lindsey Horan; #17-Tobin Heath (#14-Casey Short 69), #13-Alex Morgan (#23-Christen Press 90), #15-Megan Rapinoe (#10-Carli Lloyd 80)

Subs not used: #21-Adrianna Franch, #24-Ashlyn Harris, #3-Samantha Mewis, #6-Morgan Brian, #8-Amy Rodriguez, #11-Merritt Mathias, #20-Allie Long

BRAZIL (4-4-2): #22-Leticia; #23-Rayanne (#14-Poliana 74), #21-Monica, #15-Tayla, #6-Tamires (#7-Camila 36); #10-Marta, #11-Adriana, #5-Thaisa (#8-Juliana 90+2), #9-Debinha (#2-Millene 78); #18-Thais (#20-Raquel 69), #16-Beatriz

Subs not used: #1-Barbara, #12-Aline, #3-Daiane, #4-Kathellen, #7-Camila, #13-Rilany, #14-Poliana, #17-Andressinha, #19-Joyce

TOTAL SHOTS: USA 21-7 BRA

SHOTS ON GOAL: USA 9-1 BRA

FOULS: USA 14-14 BRA

OFFSIDES: USA 6-1 BRA

CORNER KICKS: USA 4-1 BRA

SAVES: USA 1-5 BRA

Referee: Quetzalli Alvarado (MEX)

Assistant Referees: Enedina Caudillo (MEX), Stephanie-Dale Yee Sing (JAM)

4th Official: Mirian Leon (SLV)

Attendance: 18,309

Woman of the Match: Tobin Heath (USA)