The U.S. and Australia’s women soccer teams faced off yesterday at State Farm Stadium.
U.S. stood second in the SheBelieves Cup behind Japan with three points, while Australia sat third with zero.
The SheBelieves Cup a tournament designed to empower young women and girls for their future, is comprised of a four-team round-robin tournament featuring the U.S. against three other established and competitive national teams.
U.S. had beaten Colombia 2-0, while Australia had lost 4-0 to Japan.
As soon as 44 seconds into the game U.S. striker Lynn Biyendolo found the back of the net and gave America a 1-0 lead.
U.S. kept making chances, putting heavy pressure on the Australians, but couldn’t capitalize.
Australia’s Winonah Heatley went down with injury, although she quickly returned to play instead of being subbed off.
“USA!” chants broke out many times in the capacity crowd in Glendale as Valley fans and others around the nation showed support for the U.S. national team.
“We’re here for a soccer tournament for my daughter,” said local fan Rich Everett. “She’s excited, she’s never seen them play in person before.”
Before the end of the first half, Australia began producing chances, putting the U.S. in a more defensive position but heading into the half it remained 1-0.
In the second half the Aussies picked things up on the attack. U.S. goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn had to knock away three attempts in the first few minutes of the half.
In the 50th minute, Australia created a chance after a cross, but American goalie Mandy Naught nabbed it as the defense made a last stand.
Two minutes later, Australia nearly scored off a corner, but Naught got a hand to it.
Australia kept up the pressure, trying to equalize, however, in the 68th minute, clever passing from U.S. led to a goal by Michelle Cooper, placing them up by two.
With 16 minutes left, Australia made some changes, looking to salvage the match, and in the 80th minute, a cross was swung, Michelle Heyman found the net, and cut the lead to one.
Both teams made chances, but after a desperate free kick cross that was cleared—the final whistle blew, and the U.S. walked away with all three points.
