USWNT 2-1 Brazil
Here I am living in a house truly divided as my wife is from Brazil, the dog, from Malta is staying out of it, pretty sure he is backing her.
The current coach of Brazil had held the same position with her opponent tonight, adding a bit to the rivalry that already exists.
Brazil, bosses though the US midfield. What a blast by Crystal Dunn of RVC. Literally at the top of the penalty area, deflected away for a corner. Rodman fouled hard by Adrianna at half field. Lavelle with a 40 yard ball to spring Swanson is just broken up. Swanson plays one in but not a soul there and it is right at the GK. Debinha with the quick release from 15 yards, also at the GK. Rodman again fouled by Adrianna. Lavelle enters the area, leaves it out to Rodman, her foray into the area tuned away for another corner. Corner works its way to a way off balance Dunn, her effort is high and wide. With the ball Dunn loses her mark, such speed. A hard foul from behind by Brazil is not called. Many short, almost wall type passes are not being completed by the US. Tamares with the corner for Brazil, Headed out, another off balance shot taken this time by Brazil is well off target. Lavelle in on goal has her first touch betrays her a bit as the ball was also a bit off from Horan. Rodman reels in an errant pass, her through ball was through to the GK. Horan too far forward for Lavelle who is only able to get a toe on it as she stretches, winding up on the ground. Lavelle with a shot, blocked, back to her, she finds Horan who connects with Morgan on goal but she is offside just a tad, Lindsey may have had a shot? Again, not an easy ball, but Rose must get control of such balls as it bounds off her foot very near goal to then be partially cleared. Great for Brazil from box to box, Kerolin is just wide by inches. Lavelle trying a bit too much and not using her support, gives it up less than 20 yards from goal. Debinha lays one back for Adrianna just beyond the area, but far from on target. Kerolin draws a yellow for an aggressive tackle on Morgan in the center circle. Morgan was high from 25 yards and the GK has it well covered. Girma for Morgan, who turns with the ball and is again fouled. Lavelle with yet another misplayed ball. Sullivan with a poor choice on a foul on a ball in the air in the center circle. Adrianna with a hard shot at 25 yards, but not on frame. Swanson holds, plays it in, her cut back gets nowhere and Sullivan draws a yellow for a challenge in the area. The last minute of the half shows the US with their best chance and Morgan is off though she found the back of the net. Swanson is denied, Morgan cleans it up 1-0 in extra time, from the top of the arc to the back of the net.
Swanson looking for Lavelle in the area has it played away by the stout defense of Brazil. Swanson just a bit shy looking for her player streaking forward. US saved by the crossbar on an effort by Adrianna. Lavelle and Rodman just off on the 2nd pass of a give and go. Dunn taken down off the ball, play on. Swanson to Morgan with a circus shot just high. On a corner, a trio of chances for the US but it gets cleared, Lavelle wiffs on her shot. Lavelle too long for Dunn, again her exceptional speed gets her there for a dangerous cross. One touch ball by Lavelle from Horan megs the defender and too far for Swanson. Swanson plays one through the area, Lavelle close but no. Karolin with a run passes it then holds the ball in the area wins a corner. Swanson bodied off the ball by Karolin. Ary gives way for Marta at 58’. In an earlier game, she had an assist less than 5’ in as a sub as she is returning from a knee injury. Marta about to take the DFK from 3o yards. Karolin beats Rodman and gets off a rocket that bounds off the midsection of the US net minder for a corner. Dunn & Rodman out for Williams and Sonnett. Bruinha of Gotham FC is now on. Swanson is on the board, from a great ball off the foot of Lavelle, her 7th on the year as she goes near post. Morgan well wide as she goes far post. Swanson & Lavelle, set to come off. Swanson clipped from behind, yellow issued as Sanchez comes on. Lauren & Naeher bang heads hard both are down. Sanchez carries gives to Williams her shot in the area easily covered by the GK. Adrianna gets an errant pass, it gets to the corner flag, lost then recovered again by Brazil. They are moving it well but not getting forward. Naeher goes full extension and Brazil get a corner. Korniak stuffed at the top of the 6. Horan fouled called just out of the area at 86’, DFK. Horan over the ball, into the wall. Sanchez end line in the 6 pulls it back for Korniak she is high on her shot. Ludmillla who just came on, nods home a pass in from Bruhina. First goal of the year given up by the USA, in extra time no less. Brazil now coming strong, Ludmilla just missing another headed goal. Marta far from goal for one last DFK, it’s not cleared yet, then out of touch by Sanchez as Fox goes down.