2021 SheBelieves Cup: USA 2 – Brazil 0

The United States put pressure on Brazil from the opening whistle and created several goal opportunities early on. Midfielder Rose Lavelle managed to beat the defense of Brazil with her dribbling and, on several occasions, had only one player to win to create the best chances of goal, only to see the ball being pushed away. Press and Lynn Williams threatened on the sidelines and did tremendous defensive work, while Alex Morgan, who debuted since the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, also had several chances to attack.

Brazil had only two shots on goal during the match, but it looked dangerous throughout the game and the South American’s best chance in the first half after a break from Debinha and Ludmila was thwarted by a brilliant shot from Crystal Dunn inside the box .

The two strikers would create several chances for Brazil in the interval, but the USWNT’s defense remained strong with a series of clutch defensive moves in its own territory to hold The Canarinhas without punctuation. The USA has conceded no goals in the last five matches and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has recorded ten consecutive defeats, the longest individual streak in WNT history.

Once again, substitutes for American coach Vlatko Andonovski had an impact on the bank. Rapinoe’s late goal was not just the clincher, but it marked the fifth consecutive game scored by a substitute in the second half.

SUMMARY OF GOAL SCORE

USA – Christen Press (Lindsey Horan), 11 minutes: After a strong tackle to win the ball close to midfield, Julie Ertz threw the ball to Lindsey Horan in the race from the left wing. The midfielder found Christen Press, who touched, cut inside and kicked from the left corner of the area, right into the right post for the opening goal of the game. USA 1, BRA 0

USA – Megan Rapinoe (Lindsey Horan), 88 minutes: Near the right sideline, Emily Sonnett found Linsdey Horan running on the wing. She hit a thunderous ball, crossed her defender and entered the area. Megan Rapinoe, who was heavily scored, sneaked in front of her defender within the penalty spot and kicked the goalkeeper’s hands on the right post. USA 2, BRA 0

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• The US has improved to 30-3-5 at all times vs. Brazil.

• The USA increased its unbeaten record to 36 games. The USA is unbeaten in the last 52 home games: 47 wins and five draws. The series saw the US beat its opponents 182-27, including a 52-3 margin during the last 14 home matches.

• US coach Vlatko Andonovski has 15-0-0 in his first 15 games, extending the record for best game for a coach in USWNT history. Current Brazilian coach Pia Sundhage has the second best match for any coach in USWNT history, with 10 consecutive wins.

• Andonovski has made four changes to the starting lineup since the opening of the SheBelieves Cup against Canada, with Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Emily Sonnett replacing Carli Lloyd, Catarina Macario, Margaret Purce and Megan Rapinoe.

• Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher recorded her 40th career elimination and 10^º consecutive clean sheet, extending its own USWNT record.

• Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett added their 50th internationalization to the USA, 61st and 62nd in USWNT history, reaching 50 games.

• Striker Sophia Smith, 20, won her second cap and made her first appearance of the year, taking over from Lynn Williams at age 65.^º minute.

• The press was directly involved in 27 goals in his last 28 games for the USA, scoring 12 goals and assisting 15 more. She also took the free kick that led to Rose Lavelle’s victory against Canada on February 18.

• Midfielder Lindsey Horan participated in eight of the 13 goals for the USWNT in 2021. She participated in two goals and drew a penalty against Colombia on January 18, scored and participated in another goal against Colombia in January. 22, received assistance against Canada on February 18 and two against Brazil this afternoon.

• Horan also scored or assisted in four of the last five goals that the USWNT scored. She scored the fifth goal in the US 6-0 victory over Colombia on January 22. She helped Rose Lavelle win against Canada on February 18 and two goals against Brazil today.

– 2021 SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa, Departure Report –

Match: USA vs. Brazil Women’s Team

Meeting: February 21, 2021

Competition: 2021 SheBelieves Cup

Place: Exploria Stadium; Orlando, Florida

Attendance: 4,000 (limited service capacity)

Beginning: 3:05 pm Eastern Time

Climate: 72 degrees, mostly cloudy

Scoring summary: 1 two F

USA 1 1 two

BRA 0 0 0

USA – Christen Press (Lindsey Horan) 11th minute

USA – Megan Rapinoe (Lindsey Horan) 88

Lineups:

USA: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 14-Emily Sonnett, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (Capt.), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 19-Crystal Dunn, 8-Julie Ertz, 9-Lindsey Horan, 6-Lynn Williams (17-Sophia Smith, 65), 16-Rose Lavelle (22-Kristie Mewis, 83), 23-Christen Press (15-Megan Rapinoe, 71), 13-Alex Morgan (10-Carli Lloyd, 71)

Unused subs: 2-Casey Krueger, 3-Jaelin Howell, 5-Kelley O’Hara, 11-Catarina Macario, 12-Tierna Davidson, 18-Jane Campbell, 20-Margaret Purce, 21-Casey Murphy

Head coach: Vlatko Andonovski

BRA: 1-Barbara; 6-Tamires, 4-Rafaelle, 3-Bruna, 2-Kathellen (23-Jucinara, 72), 7-Andressa (11-Cristiane, 72), 17-Andressinha, 10-Marta (Cap.), 16-Beatriz ( 13-Júlia, 56), 19-Ludmila (20-Gio, 85), 9-Debinha

Unused subs: 5-Geyse, 8-Ivana, 12-Aline, 14-Adriana, 15-Chú, 18-Camila, 21-Tainara, 22-Leticia

Head coach: Pia Sundhage

Statistical summary: USA / BRA

Photos: 10/17

Shots on target: 5/2

Saves: 2/3

Corner Kicks: 2/1

Fouls: 9/11

Offside: 2/2

Summary of misconduct:

BRA – Bruna (Caution) 33rd minute

USA – Lindsey Horan (Caution) 52

BRA – Tamires (Caution) 58

BRA – Ludmila (Caution) 80

Employees:

Referee: Melissa Borjas (HON)

Assistant Referee 1: Shirley Perello (HON)

Assistant Referee 2: Chantal Boudreau (CAN)

4th Official: Marianela Araya Cruz (CRC)

US Soccer Insiders Woman on the Field: Christen Press