U.S. women beat Australia, 3-1, in World Cup opener
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Version 0 of 1. WINNIPEG — The U.S. women’s national soccer team arrived at the World Cup with favored status but lingering questions about its capacity to end a championship drought spanning 16 years. Monday’s opener suggested a difficult road lies ahead. Locked in an even match with Australia for much of the warm evening, the second-ranked Americans overcame a dodgy first half and scored twice after intermission to secure a 3-1 victory before a pro-U.S. crowd of 31,148 at Investors Group Field. [FIFA Women’s World Cup standings] Christen Press, in her first World Cup, supplied the go-ahead strike in the 61st minute, and Megan Rapinoe punctuated an exquisite performance with a pair of goals and a key role in Press’s score. “I didn’t think we really played with a rhythm and a sense of calmness about us” in the first half, Coach Jill Ellis said. “We were a little bit nervous, to be honest. The important thing is we grow. The second half is something we can grow upon.” The Americans will remain in Manitoba for their second game, Friday night against Sweden and their former coach, Pia Sundhage. Earlier Monday, the favored Swedes conceded a late goal and settled for a 3-3 draw with Nigeria. Ellis and the players acknowledged the need to upgrade their performance after allowing Australia to set the terms in the first half. If not for Hope Solo’s goalkeeping, “we might be down 3-1,” Rapinoe said. Even in the early stages of the second half, the Americans sputtered. “Historically, it takes us some time to get our feet under us and really get rolling,” Solo said. “I expected that, and I am glad we were able to weather the storm and eventually play a little bit more comfortable in the second half.” Rapinoe was the instigator. On Press’s tiebreaking goal, Rapinoe settled Solo’s long ball and led Sydney Leroux along the left flank for a sliding cross. Press glided into a pocket of space and placed a 12-yard shot into the far corner. “We are always working on that cutback so I know that she is going to be there,” Leroux said. “It’s nice to have that connection.” In the 78th minute, with space to seize, Rapinoe made a 50-yard run and tagged an angled shot into the far corner to settle both the outcome and American nerves. “I was doing my best Messi impression — a much slower version of it,” Rapinoe said with a smile. “Megan thrives in these big games, these big moments,” Ellis said. “Sometimes when you have teams that are neutralizing each other, you look for those special players to step up.” Rapinoe scored the first goal, a 12th-minute effort from outside the penalty area that glanced off a defender and sailed into the vacant far side of the net. Fifteen minutes later, however, Lisa De Vanna tied it with a 12-yard one-timer that Solo had no chance to stop. Although the United States boasts a 23-0-2 record in all-time meetings, the Matildas arrived with enough international experience to cause problems. “We were probably the better team for the majority of the first half, but football goes for 90 minutes, not 45,” Australia Coach Alen Stajcic said. “A couple of bits of class in the end from Rapinoe changed the game.” Solo had made a tremendous save in the fifth minute, pushing Emily van Egmond’s shot off the crossbar, and came to the rescue on other threats. “I thought it was going to hit my gloves,” Solo said of the van Egmond shot, “and still hit the net.” The Matildas continued to attack with confidence while the Americans sought out Abby Wambach’s head in the penalty area. Intermission did not bring much relief for the Americans, who continued to endure threatening runs and remained stagnant in the attack. But the match began to shift, and with Leroux’s sliding cross to Press, the Americans took control. “It’s not good enough, but as long as we steadily climb, we’ll be just fine,” Solo said. “It’s going to be a tough group, and we have to climb each game.” U.S. notes: University of Virginia star Morgan Brian made her World Cup debut in the 87th minute, replacing Rapinoe, who received a standing ovation. Alex Morgan, slowed by a knee injury, entered in the 78th minute for Leroux. More Women’s World Cup coverage: Photos: Scenes from the American victory Match report: More from Winnipeg Blog: How the Americans won Graphic: Team USA through the years Group standings and scores How to watch the Cup on TV and the Internet New details emerge on Solo’s domestic violence incident |