USA 2, Australia 1
Game 2 of the Fan Tribute Tour, and I thought it showed. That is, since the USWNT isn't in training for a major tournament or a WC qualifier, they weren't that sharp: passes at the beginning of the game weren't as crisp as you'd expect, often getting intercepted, and the urgency wasn't there. So the Matildas had better chances early, including a couple shots off the posts.
Alex Morgan, earning her 50th cap, did get behind their D a couple times, with one shot to the outside side netting on the left, and another shot just missing outside right. During the broadcast the announcers said Coach Sundhage was telling her to get behind their D more. She had another shot hitting the outside of the net just before the half.
Australia scored first in the 34' as the fastest player on the field, Lisa de Vanna, beat our fastest player, Christie Rampone, all the way from her side of the field (starts about 2:30 in the highlights vid below).
Kate Markgraf, former US defender, was calling the game, and said if it weren't a friendly, Rampone would have grabbed her shirt, fouled her, even if you draw a yellow card. She was asked how she would have defended de Vanna, and responded "grab her shirt, or just crack her," and the older guy mused that he wouldn't want to play in an NBC pickup game against her.
Morgan got her 32nd international goal at 55' (4:18 in vid). She took a pass from Heather O'Reilly on the right, her first touch getting her into the box, a quick cut to get room to shoot, and she ripped it home. In the 60' she drew a penalty, beating the D and getting tripped by the goalie, who came off her line to challenge. Shannon Boxx put it in for the winner.
Highlights video
Reactions video
Pia Sundhage pregame interview
The USWNT faces Australia again in Colorado on W 9/19 @ 10PM ET on ESPN2.
After the game Alex Morgan talked about being open to the possibility of playing overseas, if a league doesn't start up here. If it doesn't, I hope our players will find good opportunities and have the chance to work on their game against good competition.
