Megan Rapinoe scored twice and the United States won the SheBelieves Cup title with a 6-0 win over Argentina on Wednesday night.
The USA is undefeated in 37 consecutive games overall and 53 on American soil. Under Vlatko Andonovski, who replaced Jill Ellis as the team’s coach in 2019, they have 16 perfect wins in 16 matches.
Carli Lloyd, Kristie Mewis, Alex Morgan and Christen Press also scored, and American women also became the first team to have three consecutive shutouts in the SheBelieves Cup, their sixth year round robin competition.
“We wanted to get out as fast as ever,” said Rapinoe, the 2019 Golden Ball winner who plays for NWSL OL Reign. “It is always dangerous to leave teams hanging around, so we managed to do that today. I just tried to find the space, be aggressive. I found myself a little more in the middle. The nines had better be careful, leaving me out there, scoring goals. I’m just trying to get out there and take a chance. “
The United States eliminated Canada at the opening of the tournament with a goal at the end of Manchester City’s Rose Lavelle, who was voted the most valuable player in the competition, before defeating Brazil 2-0 on Sunday. On Wednesday morning, Brazil beat Canada 2-0 at the Exploria Stadium. Brazil finished second.
Argentina, a late addition after Japan withdrew because of concerns about the coronavirus, did not win a match, but impressed with courageous performances. The Argentines in 31st place were the team with the worst ranking in the field, behind the Americans with the best ranking, after Brazil and Canada, who are tied in eighth place.
Rapinoe scored in the 16th minute with a well-aimed shot from Lavelle’s pass to the opening advantage.
Rapinoe added another in the 26th minutehitting a Lloyd cross. Rapinoe is the SheBelieves Cup’s top scorer of all time with seven goals, including three in this edition.
Lloyd added a goal in the 34th. It was Lloyd’s 124th international goal and happened in his 299th game for the national team. The New Jersey native is about to become the third American and third player, male or female, to play 300 or more times for her country, joining former teammates Kristine Lilly and Christine Pearce Rampone.
Kristie Mewis scored at an angle in the farthest corner for his fourth international career goal in the 41st minute, and the United States took a 4-0 lead at halftime.
Morgan scored 84th, his first goal since giving birth to his daughter Charlie last May. It was his 108th international goal, taking his outdated Michelle Akers to exclusive possession of fifth place on the team’s all-time leaderboard.
“I am very excited to have my first goal back with the national team and join the list of mothers on the team who scored goals and played as a national team player,” said Morgan. “I just want to be an example to other female athletes who are mothers or want to be mothers, knowing that they still belong to the game.”
Press scored in a header shortly after, his 11th goal in his last 15 games.
The Americans improved 4-0 against Argentina. Jane Campbell made no defense, as the United States extended its draw streak to six matches. He has conceded a goal in the last 15 matches.
“Overall, I am very happy with our performance and how we managed to unlock Argentina at the start of the game, and how we ended the game too,” said Andonovski.
Later, Rapinoe talked about his excitement about returning to OL Reign for the NWSL season before the Tokyo Olympics, after giving up on the 2020 campaign.
“[I’m] very excited to return to the NWSL, ”said Rapinoe. “Obviously, I spent as much time as I could last year. I think it really did me good. I think NWSL and all the teams and players have done an incredible job with the protocols and keeping everyone safe. I look forward to getting back on the team.
“As far as we know, the Olympics are taking place. So the pre-season will be good for us. Some games in April, so I’m looking forward to starting the season so that we can have a consistent game. I think it’s the next thing I’m really looking forward to, just those consistent games and that consistent training environment for all of us to play. “