Alex Morgan leads the U.S. women with six goals this year. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)
SANDY, Utah — Alex Morgan scored the lone goal in the 57th minute as the U.S. women’s national team recorded a 1-0 win over China RP in front of 13,230 spectators at Rio Tinto Stadium Thursday night.
The teams got off to a slow start, with the Americans creating more opportunities than its rival but none presented a major threat. China PR played low-pressure defense, with a compact midfield and backline that resulted in a 5-3 shot advantage for the hosts in the first half. China PR took two shots on goal to the U.S.’s none, but both were handled by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. [ WATCH ]
The U.S. made two substitutions to start the second half — Samantha Mewis and Sofia Huerta. Both helped reinvigorate the attack. The U.S. finally broke through in the 57th minute, when Morgan headed home a cross off a Megan Rapinoe free kick. The goal was Morgan’s team-leading sixth this year. WATCH .
The U.S. will meet China PR at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland for another friendly June 12 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 & UDN) at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
CHN 0 0 0
USA – Alex Morgan (Megan Rapinoe) 57th minute
Lineups:
USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 7-Abby Dahlkemper (23-Christen Press, 66), 12-Tierna Davidson, 19-Crystal Dunn; 2-Julie Ertz (20-Allie Long, 66), 9-Lindsey Horan (3-Samantha Mewis, 46), 25-McCall Zerboni; 26-Savannah McCaskill (14-Sofia Huerta, 46), 13-Alex Morgan (capt.) (8-Amy Rodriguez, 76), 15-Megan Rapinoe (10-Carli Lloyd, 66)
Substitutes: 21-Abby Smith, 6-Morgan Brian, 27-Merritt Mathias
Head coach: Jill Ellis
CHN: 12-Peng Shimeng; 25-Lou Jiahui (18-Han Peng, 85), 5-Wu Haiyan, 6-Lin Yuping, 2-Liu Shanshan (4-Li Danyang, 46); 11-Wang Shanshan (30-Yang Li, 46), 27-Yao Wei, 20-Zhang Rui, 23-Ren Guixin ( 16-Yan Jinjin, 68), 7-Wang Shuang (29-Li Tingting, 85); 10-Li Ying (21-Xiao Yuyi, 90)
Substitutes: 9-Tang Jiali, 13-Lu Yueyun, 14-Xu Yanlu, 19-Tan Ruyin, 24-Yang Yan, 26-Wang Yan, 28-Miao Siwen
Head coach: Jia Xiuquan
Stats Summary: USA / CHN
Shots: 11 / 3
Shots on Goal: 3 / 2
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 12 / 1
Fouls: 12 / 11
Offside: 5 / 6
Misconduct Summary:
CHN – Wu Haiyan (caution) 71st minute
Officials:
Referee: Lucila Venegas (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephanie Dale Yee Sing (JAM)
Assistant Referee 2: Jennifer Garner (USA)
4th Official: Cardella Samuels (JAM)
Woman of the Match: McCall Zerboni