USA beats Portugal

 

Samantha Mewis scored the lone goal in the U.S. following a late corner kick by Christen Press. The Women's National Team won 1-0 against Portugal to open its Summer Series in 2021. USWNT controlled the entire match before the 76th minute, securing victory against a hardy Portugal defense that held firm for much of the hot and humid Texas evening, akin to conditions the USWNT will face at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

 

Despite not scoring until late in the second half, the USWNT dominated both offensively and defensively. The U.S. outshot Portugal 26-4, served in 32 open play crosses and racked up 15 corner kicks

 

As Press created trouble on the wings and the Americans fired a few long-range warning shots, the USWNT threatened on a number of crosses in the first half. Also, the U.S. played a stifling defense, making it difficult for Portugal to string together more than a few passes and preventing them from driving into American territory until midway through the first half.

 

In the 34th minute, the USA had various corner and free kick chances, the best perhaps coming from a free kick. Seeing the ball bounce around the box, Press directed it on frame, but Portugal goalkeeper Inês Pereira saved it with a great kick save. In addition, Mewis missed an opportunity to put the U.S. in the lead with a header before the break.

 

After Megan Rapinoe's well placed service into the box in the 55th minute, forward Alex Morgan had another excellent opportunity to score. Her shot was wide. Mewis struck again minutes later, this time with a wide shot. During the 67th minute, Morgan missed on another fantastic opportunity while two more deflected shots went wide.

 

Vlatko Andonovski made his first three subs in the 73rd minute, and the USA scored shortly afterward. As soon as Rapinoe was substituted, Press took her first corner kick of the evening, and her soaring service found Mewis, who headed it home from close range into the roof of the net for the only goal of the game.

 

As a result of the assist, her 40th of her career, Press becomes the 14th US Women's National team player in history to record 100 goals and assists combined (60 goals, 40 assists). With four goals this year, Mewis has the second-most on the team.

 

Carli Lloyd pounced on a rebound following a save by Pereira off a free kick shot from Lindsey Horan in the 79th minute, but the play was whistled offside. In stoppage time, Lloyd had another chance, but Pereira made another nice save with her right foot to keep the U.S. scoreless. Lloyd's next goal will make her the oldest player to score for the U.S. Women’s or Men’s National Teams.

 

In the absence of Julie Ertz, Horan started and played 90 minutes as a defensive midfielder.

 

In the next match, USA will take on Jamaica (10 p.m. ET on FS1) in the 2021 WNT Summer Series. The two days between matches are designed to represent the two rest days between matches during this summer's Tokyo Olympics.