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 yearWATCH .

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

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.