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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/jul/28/usa-v-australia-tournament-of-nations-live
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| USA v Australia: Tournament of Nations – live! | USA v Australia: Tournament of Nations – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.18am BST | |
| 04:18 | |
| 52 min: Here comes a change – the largely ineffectual De Vanna makes way for Hayley Raso, the Portland Thorns player. | |
| 4.17am BST | |
| 04:17 | |
| 51 min: It’s end-to-end stuff early on this half. Catley sends in a cross by the byline after Rapinoe lost the ball in a dangerous position, but it’s that woman again, Naeher, who claims confidently. | |
| 4.15am BST | |
| 04:15 | |
| 50 min: Straight down to the other end and Mewis has a chance to open the scoring but her low effort bounces just wide of Williams’ post! | |
| 4.15am BST | |
| 04:15 | |
| 49 min: At the other end, a neat turn by Gorry opens up the US defence but his shot is straight at Naeher, who saves competently. | |
| 4.14am BST | |
| 04:14 | |
| 48 min: And a bit of ping-pong from the resulting corner kick again causes some panic in the Matildas’ defence, but the whistle goes and they can breathe easy. | |
| 4.13am BST | |
| 04:13 | |
| 48 min: The US start the second half in much the same vein as they did the first – with Rapinoe at the centre of things. Her strike on goal causes consternation in the Australia back line, and it’s sliced over Williams’ bar for an US corner. | |
| 4.11am BST | |
| 04:11 | |
| 47 min: There doesn’t appear to have been any changes made during the break, at least in terms of personnel. | |
| 4.11am BST | |
| 04:11 | |
| Second half underway | |
| 46 min: OK, here we go again! We’re back up and running in Seattle. | |
| 4.10am BST | |
| 04:10 | |
| After today, things move on to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, where the Matildas take on Japan first up, then the US play Brazil later in the day. Then the StubHub Center in Carson will host the final round of matches – Matildas v Brazil and USA v Japan. Just thought I’d let you know that. | |
| 3.55am BST | |
| 03:55 | |
| Half-time: USA 0-0 Australia | |
| 45+1 min: There is, but Kennedy’s long ball forward goes all the way out of play. And there goes the whistle for half-time! It’s goalless at CenturyLink Field after an opening that was dominated by the US early on, before Australia came back into things and finished the stronger of the two teams. Time for a quick cuppa, and then back for the second half. | |
| 3.54am BST | |
| 03:54 | |
| 45 min: One minute of added time signalled at the end of the first half. Perhaps time for one more Australian attack? | |
| 3.53am BST | |
| 03:53 | |
| 44 min: A late corner fails to reap any advantage for Australia before Foord hits a long ball into the box and Naeher claims in commanding fashion. She’s been near-perfect so far today. | |
| 3.51am BST | |
| 03:51 | |
| 42 min: Here come the Matildas again down the left-hand side, but her cross isn’t great and Naeher is able to claim without any fuss. | |
| 3.50am BST | |
| 03:50 | |
| 41 min: But here’s Press latching onto a lovely ball through from Horan. She stabs at the ball but can’t get much power or any decent direction on it and Williams is able to scramble back and claim. | |
| 3.49am BST | |
| 03:49 | |
| 40 min: After a fairly torrid opening to the match, the Matildas are more than holding their own now and seemingly gaining in confidence. | |
| 3.48am BST | |
| 03:48 | |
| 39 min: Gorry, who has been her usual busy self so far today, plays another lovely little ball through for De Vanna on the left. But again the flag is up and the move breaks down. | |
| 3.47am BST | |
| 03:47 | |
| 38 min: And moments later Butt gets the ball in acres of space in the box but before she pulls the trigger, the whistle goes and the flag is up. | |
| 3.46am BST | |
| 03:46 | |
| 37 min: Gorry now forces Naeher into action with a long-range, daisy-cutting effort. The keeper is equal to it though. | |
| 3.44am BST | |
| 03:44 | |
| 34 min: De Vanna’s just been described as a “character” and a “maverick” by Ian Darke, the telly commentator. Having chatted to her a couple of years ago, I can confirm that: | |
| 3.42am BST | 3.42am BST |
| 03:42 | 03:42 |
| 33 min: Pugh goes down under a challenge from Kellond-Knight in the middle of the park and while she’s on the turf receiving treatment, the players head to the sidelines for a drinks break. | 33 min: Pugh goes down under a challenge from Kellond-Knight in the middle of the park and while she’s on the turf receiving treatment, the players head to the sidelines for a drinks break. |
| 3.41am BST | 3.41am BST |
| 03:41 | 03:41 |
| 32 min: There’s Carli Lloyd on the bench – what a weapon to have in reserve. Hopefully we’ll see her at some stage today. | 32 min: There’s Carli Lloyd on the bench – what a weapon to have in reserve. Hopefully we’ll see her at some stage today. |
| 3.38am BST | 3.38am BST |
| 03:38 | 03:38 |
| 30 min: From the corner, Butt’s outstretched leg nearly but not quite gets to the ball in a bid to poke past Naeher. No dice though and, half an hour into this game, we’re still scoreless. | 30 min: From the corner, Butt’s outstretched leg nearly but not quite gets to the ball in a bid to poke past Naeher. No dice though and, half an hour into this game, we’re still scoreless. |
| 3.37am BST | 3.37am BST |
| 03:37 | 03:37 |
| 29 min: Here goes De Vanna, using all her pace against Smith. De Vanna hares into the US box before hitting the deck under the American’s challenge. Her arms go up, but the referee signals a corner. | 29 min: Here goes De Vanna, using all her pace against Smith. De Vanna hares into the US box before hitting the deck under the American’s challenge. Her arms go up, but the referee signals a corner. |
| 3.37am BST | 3.37am BST |
| 03:37 | 03:37 |
| 28 min: In it goes, but the whistle goes again and nothing will transpire this time for the US. | 28 min: In it goes, but the whistle goes again and nothing will transpire this time for the US. |
| 3.36am BST | 3.36am BST |
| 03:36 | 03:36 |
| 27 min: Australia are able to play the ball around the back now. But they lose the ball before too long and when Horan is fouled, the US will have a chance to get a ball into the Matildas’ box. | 27 min: Australia are able to play the ball around the back now. But they lose the ball before too long and when Horan is fouled, the US will have a chance to get a ball into the Matildas’ box. |
| 3.33am BST | 3.33am BST |
| 03:33 | 03:33 |
| 24 min: Some desperate Matildas defending prevents Horan from capitalising on a bit of confusion in the visitors’ box. | 24 min: Some desperate Matildas defending prevents Horan from capitalising on a bit of confusion in the visitors’ box. |
| 3.32am BST | 3.32am BST |
| 03:32 | 03:32 |
| 23 min: Catley attempts a long-range pass towards Kerr, but it’s a touch too long and the ball runs all the way through to Naeher. | 23 min: Catley attempts a long-range pass towards Kerr, but it’s a touch too long and the ball runs all the way through to Naeher. |
| 3.31am BST | 3.31am BST |
| 03:31 | 03:31 |
| 22 min: Naeher again has to be alert under pressure at the other end and she gets there just in time to hoof clear. | 22 min: Naeher again has to be alert under pressure at the other end and she gets there just in time to hoof clear. |
| 3.30am BST | 3.30am BST |
| 03:30 | 03:30 |
| 21 min: Another half-chance for the US! And it’s Rapinoe again who sets Australian hearts aflutter with a Van Basten-esque volley that goes wide of the mark. | 21 min: Another half-chance for the US! And it’s Rapinoe again who sets Australian hearts aflutter with a Van Basten-esque volley that goes wide of the mark. |
| 3.28am BST | 3.28am BST |
| 03:28 | 03:28 |
| 19 min: Ooh! Kerr very nearly latches onto a backpass intended for Naeher. The US keeper darts off her line and manages to get there first – just. | 19 min: Ooh! Kerr very nearly latches onto a backpass intended for Naeher. The US keeper darts off her line and manages to get there first – just. |
| 3.27am BST | 3.27am BST |
| 03:27 | 03:27 |
| 17 min: This, of course, isn’t the only women’s football tournament on at the moment. Earlier, England booked their place in the quarter-finals at Euro 2017 with victory over Portugal. | 17 min: This, of course, isn’t the only women’s football tournament on at the moment. Earlier, England booked their place in the quarter-finals at Euro 2017 with victory over Portugal. |
| 3.26am BST | 3.26am BST |
| 03:26 | 03:26 |
| 16 min: Here come Australia now though. Kerr feeds Butt outside on the right but she’s always on the stretch and her first-time effort doesn’t trouble US keeper Naeher. | 16 min: Here come Australia now though. Kerr feeds Butt outside on the right but she’s always on the stretch and her first-time effort doesn’t trouble US keeper Naeher. |
| 3.24am BST | 3.24am BST |
| 03:24 | 03:24 |
| 15 min: Pugh sees an effort deflected past Williams’ post for another US corner here, but Rapinoe’s delivery is poor and the ball sails all the way over the box and out of play. | 15 min: Pugh sees an effort deflected past Williams’ post for another US corner here, but Rapinoe’s delivery is poor and the ball sails all the way over the box and out of play. |
| 3.23am BST | 3.23am BST |
| 03:23 | 03:23 |
| 14 min: De Vanna shows some real fight as she tussles with Smith. That’s the kind of grit and determination that has been her trademark over her career – and possibly what the Australians need today. | 14 min: De Vanna shows some real fight as she tussles with Smith. That’s the kind of grit and determination that has been her trademark over her career – and possibly what the Australians need today. |
| 3.21am BST | 3.21am BST |
| 03:21 | 03:21 |
| 12 min: Not meaning to tempt fate, but the US are beginning to look ominous here. | 12 min: Not meaning to tempt fate, but the US are beginning to look ominous here. |
| 3.20am BST | 3.20am BST |
| 03:20 | 03:20 |
| 11 min: Rapinoe goes close with a low shot after she cut back inside the box and unleashed an effort that Williams does well to get down to and tip around the post! First clear-cut chance of the game so far! | 11 min: Rapinoe goes close with a low shot after she cut back inside the box and unleashed an effort that Williams does well to get down to and tip around the post! First clear-cut chance of the game so far! |
| 3.19am BST | 3.19am BST |
| 03:19 | 03:19 |
| 9 min: And here we go with a mass round of applause for Tony DiCicco. Lovely touch on this, the first US game since he passed away in June. | 9 min: And here we go with a mass round of applause for Tony DiCicco. Lovely touch on this, the first US game since he passed away in June. |
| 3.17am BST | 3.17am BST |
| 03:17 | 03:17 |
| 8 min: De Vanna is caught on the ball and the US break quickly. Rapinoe’s class shines through as she plays a lovely ball through for Horan, but the flag is up and she’s offside. | 8 min: De Vanna is caught on the ball and the US break quickly. Rapinoe’s class shines through as she plays a lovely ball through for Horan, but the flag is up and she’s offside. |
| 3.16am BST | 3.16am BST |
| 03:16 | 03:16 |
| 7 min: Catley now is pulled up for a foul as she tries to press the Americans high up the pitch. The Matildas haven’t been able to make any real inroads into the final third as yet. | 7 min: Catley now is pulled up for a foul as she tries to press the Americans high up the pitch. The Matildas haven’t been able to make any real inroads into the final third as yet. |
| 3.15am BST | 3.15am BST |
| 03:15 | 03:15 |
| 5 min: Pugh and Press combine well on another American sortie forward, but again it comes to nothing. The pressure continues to build on the Matildas though. | 5 min: Pugh and Press combine well on another American sortie forward, but again it comes to nothing. The pressure continues to build on the Matildas though. |
| 3.13am BST | 3.13am BST |
| 03:13 | 03:13 |
| 4 min: Here come the US again, with Rapinoe pulling the strings. Press is caught offside eventually, but the hosts are enjoying the better of these opening exchanges so far. | 4 min: Here come the US again, with Rapinoe pulling the strings. Press is caught offside eventually, but the hosts are enjoying the better of these opening exchanges so far. |
| 3.11am BST | 3.11am BST |
| 03:11 | 03:11 |
| 3 min: The US win an early free-kick, but Rapinoe’s delivery isn’t accurate enough and the Matildas are able to clear without problems. | 3 min: The US win an early free-kick, but Rapinoe’s delivery isn’t accurate enough and the Matildas are able to clear without problems. |
| 3.10am BST | 3.10am BST |
| 03:10 | 03:10 |
| 2 min: So, the US have plenty of strength in depth today – they’ve got the likes of Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux on the bench. Taylor Smith, the young right-back, makes her debut. | 2 min: So, the US have plenty of strength in depth today – they’ve got the likes of Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux on the bench. Taylor Smith, the young right-back, makes her debut. |
| 3.09am BST | 3.09am BST |
| 03:09 | 03:09 |
| First half underway | |
| 1 min: And we’re off! It’s a pretty decent crowd at CenturyLink Field for this, the hosts’ opening match. No one’s in the upper tier, but the lower tier on the far side at least appears to be well filled. | 1 min: And we’re off! It’s a pretty decent crowd at CenturyLink Field for this, the hosts’ opening match. No one’s in the upper tier, but the lower tier on the far side at least appears to be well filled. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.56am BST | |
| 3.07am BST | 3.07am BST |
| 03:07 | 03:07 |
| The sun is out over CenturyLink Field in Seattle, it’s just gone midday on the eastern seaboard of Australia, and we’ll be ready for kick-off once the anthems are done and dusted. Advance Australia Fair plays out before Star Spangled Banner and we’re good to go! | The sun is out over CenturyLink Field in Seattle, it’s just gone midday on the eastern seaboard of Australia, and we’ll be ready for kick-off once the anthems are done and dusted. Advance Australia Fair plays out before Star Spangled Banner and we’re good to go! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.42am BST | at 3.42am BST |
| 3.01am BST | 3.01am BST |
| 03:01 | 03:01 |
| Here come the teams, the US in all white, the Matildas in all yellow. Aside from a bit of chat with the mascots they’re holding hands with, both sets of players have that look of steely determination in their eyes. | Here come the teams, the US in all white, the Matildas in all yellow. Aside from a bit of chat with the mascots they’re holding hands with, both sets of players have that look of steely determination in their eyes. |
| 3.00am BST | 3.00am BST |
| 03:00 | 03:00 |
| There will be a moment taken in the ninth minute of the match today to pay tribute to the former USWNT coach, Tony DiCicco, who died last month. DiCicco was a trailblazer of the women’s game in the States and had a huge impact on the game there and across the world. He retired with the most number of wins of any US coach under his belt, along with an Olympic gold medal from 1996 and the 1999 World Cup. Players will also wear black armbands marked with “TD” in his memory. | There will be a moment taken in the ninth minute of the match today to pay tribute to the former USWNT coach, Tony DiCicco, who died last month. DiCicco was a trailblazer of the women’s game in the States and had a huge impact on the game there and across the world. He retired with the most number of wins of any US coach under his belt, along with an Olympic gold medal from 1996 and the 1999 World Cup. Players will also wear black armbands marked with “TD” in his memory. |
| 2.49am BST | 2.49am BST |
| 02:49 | 02:49 |
| Line-ups | Line-ups |
| Focused. Ready. And always for the 🔴⚪️🔵. Your XI for tonight's #ToN2017 match vs. @TheMatildas. pic.twitter.com/HsVy03S5lx | Focused. Ready. And always for the 🔴⚪️🔵. Your XI for tonight's #ToN2017 match vs. @TheMatildas. pic.twitter.com/HsVy03S5lx |
| Here is how we line up for today's #ToN2017 opener! #GoMatildas #USAvAUS pic.twitter.com/MdXZAyQis6 | Here is how we line up for today's #ToN2017 opener! #GoMatildas #USAvAUS pic.twitter.com/MdXZAyQis6 |
| 2.46am BST | 2.46am BST |
| 02:46 | 02:46 |
| Brazil 1-1 Japan | Brazil 1-1 Japan |
| Just earlier, in the tournament opener and the first part of this double-header in Seattle, Orlando Pride player Camila’s howitzer saw Brazil come from behind to win a point against Japan, who took the lead thanks to Yika Momiki’s 63rd-minute header. | Just earlier, in the tournament opener and the first part of this double-header in Seattle, Orlando Pride player Camila’s howitzer saw Brazil come from behind to win a point against Japan, who took the lead thanks to Yika Momiki’s 63rd-minute header. |
| What a bomb! #BRAvJPN #ToN2017 pic.twitter.com/aFk0LjLM8N | What a bomb! #BRAvJPN #ToN2017 pic.twitter.com/aFk0LjLM8N |
| 2.40am BST | 2.40am BST |
| 02:40 | 02:40 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Mike Hytner | Mike Hytner |
| Hello there. Well, this promises to be quite the showpiece event at this inaugural Tournament of Nations, a four-team, round-robin comp that also features Brazil and Japan and will see games played in Seattle, San Diego and Carson. With all four teams currently residing in the top 10 of Fifa’s world rankings, we’re not going to be short on quality over the next six days. | Hello there. Well, this promises to be quite the showpiece event at this inaugural Tournament of Nations, a four-team, round-robin comp that also features Brazil and Japan and will see games played in Seattle, San Diego and Carson. With all four teams currently residing in the top 10 of Fifa’s world rankings, we’re not going to be short on quality over the next six days. |
| The US (ranked one) and Australia (seven) have plenty of shared history, making this an especially intriguing clash at CenturyLink Field. The pair have faced each other 26 times before – incredibly the US have never lost – and this will be their first meeting since their opening World Cup group match in 2015, when the Matildas showed just how much they had improved, despite a 3-1 reverse against the eventual tournament winners. | The US (ranked one) and Australia (seven) have plenty of shared history, making this an especially intriguing clash at CenturyLink Field. The pair have faced each other 26 times before – incredibly the US have never lost – and this will be their first meeting since their opening World Cup group match in 2015, when the Matildas showed just how much they had improved, despite a 3-1 reverse against the eventual tournament winners. |
| Adding to the familiarity between the two sides are the five members of the Australian squad who currently ply their trade in the NWSL. Striker Sam Kerr, in particular, is certain to have featured in US pre-match team talks after her recent form for Sky Blue FC has lit up the league – the 11 goals she has scored so far this season has her second to just Megan Rapinoe in the race for the golden boot. | Adding to the familiarity between the two sides are the five members of the Australian squad who currently ply their trade in the NWSL. Striker Sam Kerr, in particular, is certain to have featured in US pre-match team talks after her recent form for Sky Blue FC has lit up the league – the 11 goals she has scored so far this season has her second to just Megan Rapinoe in the race for the golden boot. |
| Kerr joins keeper Lydia Willians (Houston Dash), Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy (Orlando Pride), and Hayley Raso as names instantly familiar with US soccer fans, but quality runs all the way through Alen Stajic’s squad and the USWNT will need be wary of threats from all over the park if they are to maintain their unbeaten streak today. | Kerr joins keeper Lydia Willians (Houston Dash), Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy (Orlando Pride), and Hayley Raso as names instantly familiar with US soccer fans, but quality runs all the way through Alen Stajic’s squad and the USWNT will need be wary of threats from all over the park if they are to maintain their unbeaten streak today. |
| This isn’t just about team records, mind. Out-of-season tournaments (of which the US hosts its fair share) have their sceptics, but crucial rankings points are up for grabs here – especially important for the Australians heading into a World Cup year. If they can rise above Japan (currently six in the world), the Matildas will get a seeded spot. | This isn’t just about team records, mind. Out-of-season tournaments (of which the US hosts its fair share) have their sceptics, but crucial rankings points are up for grabs here – especially important for the Australians heading into a World Cup year. If they can rise above Japan (currently six in the world), the Matildas will get a seeded spot. |
| So, don’t expect any ground to be ceded easily here. Kick-off is nearly upon us, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Oh, and please feel free to get in touch on the email – mike.hytner@theguardian.com – or Twitter @mike_hytner with your thoughts on today’s game, and anything else you feel like getting off your chest. | So, don’t expect any ground to be ceded easily here. Kick-off is nearly upon us, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Oh, and please feel free to get in touch on the email – mike.hytner@theguardian.com – or Twitter @mike_hytner with your thoughts on today’s game, and anything else you feel like getting off your chest. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.49am BST | at 2.49am BST |
| 2.56am BST | 2.56am BST |
| 02:56 | 02:56 |
| Mike will be here shortly. In the meantime, have a read of Caitlin Murray’s pre-tournament analysis of the USWNT: | Mike will be here shortly. In the meantime, have a read of Caitlin Murray’s pre-tournament analysis of the USWNT: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.43am BST | at 12.43am BST |