USWNT come through 3-0 in an intense first match against Chile

Carson, C.A- Despite a few calls that went against the U.S. Women’s National Team, including two goals taken back, the U.S. were able to overtake Chile 3-0.

Being the first meeting between the teams, the U.S. looked to take advantage early, controlling possession and putting Chile in defensive mode. Facing the No. 1 team in the world, Chile was alert and on the ball, regardless of some of the team miscommunication in the first half.

The U.S. secured an early lead in the eighth minute as defender Tierna Davidson headed the ball to the back of the net off a corner kick by U.S. forward Tobin Heath, scoring her first international goal. Davidson’s presence turned out to be instrumental on the pitch as she set up valuable plays off corner kicks in the second half when Heath was substituted.

The U.S. offense took every possible opportunity on goal. Forward Christen Press had several attempts that went wide of goal.

Heath made several back to back corner kicks that looked hopeful for the U.S. when midfielder Lindsey Horan headed the ball towards the goal, but it was cleared by Chilean goal keeper Christiane Endler.

In the 31st minute, Heath made another corner kick that made its way to the center of the field and in attempt to clear the ball, Chilean defender Carla Guerrero used her body to shield the shot. Unfortunately for her, the ball was past the goal line and her attempted clearance resulted in an own goal to extend the US lead 2-0.

In the 39th minute, the first of two goals that were revoked, which brought the intensity of the match to a peak for both sides and left many fans heated.

“They felt like goals and sometimes things happen. I wasn’t sure if it was encroachment or foul or if it was a foul it should’ve been re-taken,” Ellis said. “This is good practice for dealing with qualifiers in terms of dealing with something and moving on and that’s where we’re at with this, to put it behind us and move on.”

A penalty kick was given to Heath just before the half ended and Press, who was honored for her 100th cap just before the match, stepped up to the plate to add a goal to her night of achievements. Press’ right-footed shot to the back of the net sent fans into a fury of excitement that soon simmered as referee Katja Koroleva also didn’t count that goal, most likely due to encroachment.

Although a free kick was awarded and the shot went in, the call wasn’t properly made as the penalty should’ve been retaken.

In the second half, head coach Jill Ellis made substitutions and brought in Carli Lloyd, Morgan Brian, McCall Zerboni and Mallory Pugh to shake things up.

For Press, her real moment came in the 58th minute on a cross from Pugh to the center. Although Lloyd wasn’t able to get a leg on the cross, Press finished the play to score her 45th goal for the United States Women’s National Team.

“In that moment when I was like, ‘Of course I want to score in LA for my 100th cap celebration’ and then I didn’t score, I was like ‘Wow, what an awesome opportunity for me to continue to stay present and let the things in the past go and believe in myself and believe in my team and it worked out,” Press said following the match.

The 3-0 lead for the U.S. caused the crowd of 23,544 at the StubHub Center to rise with excitement as both sides had fouls called and with shots by Pugh and Lloyd being impressively deflected. Once the whistle blew, the U.S. marked the 3-0 victory in their first ever meeting against Chile.

“I think it was two good halves, but I think we got room for improvement,” shared Ellis. “So, I think overall, that’s the challenge for the team, is can we better at what we do, cleaner at what we do in terms of getting ready for the next game.

The U.S. will face Chile again on Tuesday, Sept. 4 as they travel up north to San Jose. This will be the final international friendly match before they enter the World Cup qualifiers. Tuesday’s match will be aired on EPSN2 at 7 p.m. PT.

All photos by Debby von Wickelmann

SCORING SUMMARY:

USA-Tierna Davidson, 8’
USA-Own goal by Carla Guerrero, 32’
USA-Christen Press, 59’

BOOKING SUMMARY:

USA-Tobin Heath, yellow card, 38’
CHI-Maria Jose Urrutia, yellow card, 74’
CHI-Rocio Soto, yellow card, 80’

USA: #1-Alyssa Naeher, #2-Julie Ertz (#26-Hailie Mace, 74’), #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #9-Lindsey Horan (#25-McCall Zerboni, 46’), #12-Tierna Davidson, #13-Alex Morgan (#10-Carli Lloyd, 46’), #16-Rose Lavelle (#6-Morgan Brian, 46’), #17-Tobin Heath (#11-Mallory Pugh, 46’), #19-Crystal Dunn (#3-Samantha Mewis, 61’), #22-Emily Sonnett, #23-Christen Press (C)

Subs not used: #24-Ashlyn Harris

CHILE: #1-Christiane Endler (C), #3-Carla Guerrero, #4-Francisca Lara, #7-Maria Jose Rojas (#20-Daniela Zamora, 46’), #8-Karen Araya (#6-Claudia Soto, 69’), #10-Yanara Aedo, #11-Yesenia Lopez, #13-Bárbra Santibáñez (#21-Maria Jose Urrutia, 61’), #14-Fernanda Pinilla (#2-Rocio Soto, 46’), #17-Geraldine Leyton, #18-Camila Saez

Subs not used: #12-Natalia Campos, #9-Maryorie Her0nandez, #15-Su Helen Galaz, #16-Ana Gutierrez, #19-Javiera Grez

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Refereee: Katja Koroleva (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Felisha Mariscal (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Deleana Quan (USA)
4th Official: Christina Unkel (USA)

TOTAL SHOTS: US 24-1 CHI

SHOTS ON GOAL: US 11-1 CHI

FOULS: US 10-10 CHI

OFFSIDES: US 2-0 CHI

CORNER KICKS: US 17-1 CHI

SAVES: US 1-9 CHI