The United States Women’s National Soccer Team was without their leading scorer with an injury for their semifinal World Cup matchup with England on Tuesday. The Americans didn’t miss a beat, as Morgan Rapinoes replacement scored early and Alex Morgan scored the game winner as USA moved into the World Final on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in France.
Christen Press who replaced Rapinoe in the starting lineup got the Americans started with a header in the box off an assist from Tobin Heath in the 10th minute to make it 1-0. But about 9 minutes later, England got the equalizer from their leading scorer Ellen White off a beautiful toe tap feed that sent her in on goalie Alyssa Naeher. Morgan provided the final difference in the game when she converted her sixth goal of the tournament on a header off a feed from Lindsey Horan at the 31st minute. The game winner came on her 30th birthday. England nearly tied it shortly after, but a rising strike by Keira Walsh was stopped by Naeher on a leaping stop to her left.
England thought they had evened the match again in the second half at the 67th minute when White scored her second goal. But after a video review it was determined that the English were offsides. White had another chance in the final 10 minutes when again after a video review they called Becky Sauerbrunn from the USA for a foul in the box resulting in a penalty kick. But with just 6:54 left in regular match play, Naeher dove to the right to stop the penalty kick attempt by Stephanie Houghton and the Americans held on.
USA will play the winner of Sweden and the Netherlands in the World Cup Final on Sunday at 10 a.m. United States Eastern Time. The Americans seek their second straight title at the World Cup and try to build on their three titles all time (the most of any other country). The loser of Sweden-Netherlands will face England in the third place game.
