Will the recent loss by a USNYT to Korea provide motivation for the WNT? We shall see.
Many unforced errors on both sides in this, the early going. Korea tries to body, Dunn of Gotham FC off the ball, nothing doing & called for the foul. Lavelle a bit ahead of Baby Horse. Staab of Chicago, who we were lucky enough to interview at her Draft Day out of Clemson is seeing a lot of the ball. Morgan with a bit of skill to Nighswonger into Dunn and it is 1-0, Gotham goal and assist at 14’. The Bats are flyin’! Nice through ball into the area by Korea is over the endline for a Goal kick. A deep DFK not even 20 yards out for Korea. Murphy, out of NJ plays her club ball for NC, calling out to her wall, it goes far post and she steers it away with ease. Murphy can’t get to it and it is played wide, grabbed up by Korea at the touchline, a few entries back into the area before it is finally cleared out. Yuri dumps Nighswonger and gets called for it and spoken to about it. Staab just high on a great shot from Horan, over the top, half volley really have to get over that ball as it was already rising. Horan is down, clutching her knee that is taped as Lavelle goes with a shot, but it’s a corner, Horan is up and at ‘em. Nighswonger picks out another Bat in Sonnett, she is just wide on her header. Nighswonger tossed to the ground again by Yuri. The rain is now pelting the mic.
Crystal being interviewed by former Colombian international, sporting her Kickoff Coffee hat, Melissa Ortiz.
Morgan, her back heel did not work in the first half, wrongly described this time as she rolled it back, leads to a shot, it garners a corner, Lavelle to take it. Another one and a pair of Korean players are down and a free kick coming out. The ball near midfield far side for the US players too close, not moving only his time, the relief valve of Staab, not used, ball lost. Horan, her arm grabbed to pull her back as she took off with the ball, whistle yes, card, no. A foursome awaiting entry for the US. Smith, Rodman Swanson & Coffey at once. Lavelle is out having earned cap 100, as are Morgan Nighswonger and Horan. Dunn dons the captain’s armband. Murphy boxes a ball out then US gets a foul. Smith to Shaw and wide but not by much, looked like a foot, maybe? Trinity to Swanson and at a seemingly impossible angle, Smith sends one home. The press of the whole game pays a dividend as Shaw set that up for Rodman to take it away at 68’. Murphy again comes up big as the ball comes off the body in tight of Moon. The ensuing corner and she is again forced into action to box one out, almost a goal for Swanson from Rodman. Fox in for Kruger Albert off for Yohannes. Rodman rocks the crossbar. Swanson puts Kim to work with a shot on a ball she took from behind her, the GK stays down, she landed on her back, may have banged her head? She is seated up now. Yohannes off the dummy gets one past the GK who I am sure is not 100%. The 16 year old who plays for Ajax nets her first one for the USWNT. She belies her age in keeping it low, off the inside of her foot no overkill off her instep. One game, one goal. Less than 5’ to go another US corner, goes near post the player there sends it out and over the touchline. Way too much in their area by Korea, Rodman with a blast, blocked out for another corner in the later minutes of the game. 3’ extra time as Korea makes final subs. The DFK punched out by Murphy, first time shot back at her and she smothers it.