Julie Ertz celebrates her game-winning goal.  (Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports)

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Staring down a second consecutive defeat at the Tournament of Nations, the United States women rallied to score three goals within a nine-minute span to turn an apparent loss into a memorable comeback victory Sunday night.

Julie Ertz snapped a 3-3 deadlock in the 89th minute to lift the Americans over Brazil, 4-3, at Qualcomm Stadium.

Australia leads the competition after a 4-2 victory against Japan in the first game of the doubleheader, but the win kept the U.S. alive for the title. The four teams now head north for the conclusion of the competition at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Thursday. Australia takes on Brazil (7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN3) and the USA faces Japan (10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and UDN).

To win the tournament, the U.S. must defeat Japan, have Brazil defeat Australia and overturn a three-goal difference.

Brazil scored in the second minute on a swirling shot from Andressinha that was misplayed by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

The Americans leveled 16 minutes later when Samantha Mewis ran onto a square pass from Megan Rapinoe at the top of the penalty area and smashed a low, driven shot into the left corner.

While both teams were dangerous in the attack throughout the match, the U.S. created the better chances and outshot Brazil, 24-13.

The South Americans, however, grabbed a 3-1 lead, scoring on set plays in the 63rd and 78th minutes through Bruna Benites — off a corner — and Andressinha off a direct free kick, respectively.

The hosts wasted no time launching an epic comeback as 57th-minute substitute Christen Press blasted a shot into the upper left corner to pull within one.

https://www.facebook.com/officialussoccer/videos/10155255942268941/

Rapinoe scored the equalizer in the 85th minute. Press chipped a ball over the defense to her on the left side of the box. Rapinoe brought the ball down and drilled a low shot from an extremely tight angle that snuck into the near post for a 3-3 tie.

https://www.facebook.com/officialussoccer/videos/10155255947678941/

Four minutes later, Ertz, who had also come on the 57th minute, got the winner by smashing home a loose ball after a goal mouth scramble.

https://www.facebook.com/officialussoccer/videos/10155255924523941/

Videos courtesy of the U.S. Soccer Facebook page

In the opening game, Australia put in a dominant performance and got a hat-trick from Sky Blue FC striker Sam Kerr as it answered Japan’s early score with four consecutive goals. Japan pulled a goal back in stoppage time for the final score line.

 

Scoring Summary: 

BRA – Andressinha (Debinha)                                                           2nd minute
USA – Samantha Mewis (Megan Rapinoe)                                       18
BRA – Bruna Benites (Marta)                                                             63
BRA – Andressinha                                                                            78
USA – Christen Press (Megan Rapinoe)                                           80
USA – Megan Rapinoe (Christen Press)                                           85
USA – Julie Ertz (Carli Lloyd)                                                             89

Lineups:
USA:  1-Alyssa Naeher; 16-Taylor Smith (8-Julie Ertz, 57), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 14-Casey Short (2-Sydney Leroux, 76), 5-Kelley O’Hara; 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 3-Samantha Mewis (20-Allie Long, 86), 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.); 19-Crystal Dunn (22-Mallory Pugh, 53), 13-Alex Morgan (23-Christen Press, 57), 15-Megan Rapinoe (12-Lynn Williams, 90+1)
Subs not used6-Morgan Brian, 9-Lindsey Horan,11-Ali Krieger, 17-Margaret Purce, 18-Jane Campbell, 21-Abby Smith
Head coach: Jill Ellis

BRA: 1-Barbara; 15-Leticia (8-Maria, 71), 21-Monica, 3-Bruna Benites 22-Jucinara (6-Tamires, 46); 5-Djenifer, 7-Gabi Nunes (20-Camila, 22), 17-Andressinha; 9-Debinha (13-Andreia Rosa, 82), 10-Marta, 16-Bia Zaneratto (19-Ludmila, 86)
Subs not used: 2-Maurine, 14-Chu, 18-Fran
Head coach: Emily Lima

Stats Summary: USA / BRA
Shots: 24 / 13
Shots on Goal: 11 / 5
Saves: 2 / 7
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 20
Offside: 4 / 1

Misconduct Summary:
BRA – Jucinara (caution)                                                                    36th minute
USA – Becky Sauerbrunn (caution)                                                   54
BRA – Bia Zaneratto (caution)                                                           59
BRA – Marta (caution)                                                                       84
BRA – Barbara (caution)                                                                    89                                   

Officials: 
Referee: Melissa Borjas (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Lidia Ayala (SLV)
Assistant Referee 2: Nelly Alvarado (CRC)
4th Official: Sandra Benitez (SLV)

Woman of the Match:  Megan Rapinoe

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.