February 11, the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) came back from a one-goal deficit to New Zealand, thanks to Alex Morgan, who equalized in the 88th minute and scored the game winner in overtime. The strikes were Morgan's 15th and 16th career goals.
The USWNT played their final friendly match before the Algarve Cup in Portugal for a sold-out crowd of 20,677 in Frisco, Texas.
After a scoreless first half, head coach Pia Sundhage replaced untested Hope Solo with Nicole Barnhart and Heather O'Reilly with Amy Rodriguez, but New Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson saw an opportunity in a casual back pass from Kelley O'Hara and put the visitors up 1-0.
Sundhage replaced Megan Rapinoe for Carli Lloyd, O'Hara with young Sydney Leroux and Lauren Cheney for Lori Lindsey, but the team was unable to break down New Zealand's defense despite firing off 19 total shots and earning the majority of corner kicks. Morgan's late-game heroics were assisted by Megan Rapinoe on her first goal and by Wambach on her second.
“It wasn’t meant to be like that," said Sundhage. "I had other expectations in the first half, but I’ll take the result any day. We made it really, really exciting."
Next up
The USWNT's upcoming schedule leading to the London Olympics is below:
February 29: Algarve Cup: USA-Denmark: Portugal
March 2: Algarve Cup: USA-Norway: Portugal
March 5: Algarve Cup: USA-Japan: Portugal
April 1: Kirin Challenge Cup: USA-Japan: Japan
April 3: Kirin Challenge Cup: USA-Brazil: Japan
FOLLOW US SOCCER EXAMINER AND LE EISENMENGER ON TWITTER AND SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL ALERTS.
Match: U.S. Women's National Team vs. New Zealand
Date: Feb. 11, 2012
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Kickoff: 3 p.m. CT
Attendance: 20,677 (sell out)
Weather: Sunny, 34 degrees
Scoring Summary:
NZL -- Hannah Wilkinson 49th minute
USA - Alex Morgan (Megan Rapinoe) 88
USA - Alex Morgan (Abby Wambach) 90 + 3
Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo (18-Nicole Barnhart, 46); 6-Amy LePeilbet, 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 19-Rachel Buehler, 5-Kelley O'Hara (11-Sydney Leroux, 81); 9-Heather O'Reilly (8-Amy Rodriguez, 46), 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Carli Lloyd (15-Megan Rapinoe, 62), 12-Lauren Cheney (16-Lori Lindsey, 81); 13-Alex Morgan, 20-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 17-Tobin Heath
Head coach: Pia Sundhage
NZL: 1-Jenny Bindon; 2-Ria Percival, 5-Abbey Erceg, 6-Rebecca Smith (capt.), 7-Ali Riley; 4-Katie Hoyle, 8-Hayley Moorwood (12-Betsy Hassett, 61), 11-Kirsty Yallop, 9-Amber Hearn, 10-Sarah Gregorius, 17-Hannah Wilkinson (13-Rosie White, 74)
Subs not used: 3-Anna Green, 14-Holly Patterson, 16-Annalie Longo, 19-Kristy Hill, 21-Erin Nayler
Head coach: Tony Readings
Statistical Summary: USA / NZL
Shots: 19 / 7
Shots on Goal: 9 / 1
Saves: 0 / 7
Corner Kicks: 5 / 1
Fouls: 12 / 8
Offside: 2 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
USA - Shannon Boxx (caution) 78th minute
Officials
Referee: Moo Hackett (USA)
Assistant Referee: Veronica Perez (USA)
Assistant Referee: Jennifer Jones (USA)
Fourth Official: Juliana Duncan (USA)
Bud Light Woman of the Match:
Alex Morgan
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