The USA has never lost a match in Texas at any level and that trend continued, but only just in Dallas on Saturday as the US Women's National Team managed a late 2-1 win against New Zealand in frigid conditions.
Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan combined for two late goals for the USA while the impressive Hannah Wilkinson scored New Zealand's lone goal in an entertaining match.
It was always going to be tough for New Zealand, who have never ammounted to much on the world stage, despite dominating the OFC since Australia's departure and the USA went for it from the opening whistle, controlling possession well.
To New Zealand's credit they didn't just sit back and looked to play their speedy strikers through, but their 4-3-3 left them vulnerable in midfield allowing the USA to counter quickly.
In just the ninth minute the USA should have taken the lead as Ali Riley brought down Alex Morgan seemingly outside the box, but the referee pointed to the spot, Abby Wambach's penalty was poor and came off the post after sending the keeper the wrong way allowing New Zealand to clear.
The chances fell again for the USA as New Zealand failed to deal with a corner, Jenny Bindon dropped the ball at Rachel Buehler's feet, only for Buehler to send her shot from point-blank range over the bar.
Morgan did well in the 17th minute to work her way past two defenders with some nice footwork but failed to challenge Bindon with her chance, hitting it straight at the keeper.
New Zealand came more in to the match as the half wore on, with Hannah Wilkinson looking dangerous, with her speed proving to be a constant threat to the USA defense.
Rebecca Smith almost put New Zealand in trouble in the 28th minute as her backpass was much to light for Bindon who managed to run out of the box well and clear, keeping the USA out.
The USA continued to dominate possession and in the 33rd minute should have had a goal with Heather O'Reilley wide open, but Bindon came out well and claimed a poor cross.
Lauren Cheney was next up just one minute later as she found space 20 yards out but sent her curling strike just over the bar, as the USA desparately pushed for a goal before halftime.
Smith again almost put her team in trouble with a poor clearing header heading back toward goal, New Zealand desparately clearing but only as far as Cheney who sent her shot over the bar.
Coach Pia Sundhage said after the match "I did not enjoy the first half, but I'll take that result anyway... I don't want to have a team that plays that direct."
The USA brought on reserve keeper Nicole Barnhart and Amy Rodriguez at the break as they sought to give more players time ahead of London.
New Zealand stunned the hosts in the 50th minute as Hannah Wilkinson pounced on Heather O'Reilly's poor backpass chipping Barnhart to open the scoring for New Zealand.
Sundhage lamented the mistake "Well it was a mistake, and they were smart enough to punish us."
The USA looked to attack again and on the hour mark Morgan again worked her way through the New Zealand defense but yet again the shot was straight at Bindon.
The USA continued to attack and Megan Rapinoe could well have put the USA back on level terms after she was allowed a free header from a corner in the 68th minute but again the ball went straight to Bindon.
As time went on the USA became more and more frustrated, giving away more fouls, Sahnnon Boxx earning herself a yellow card in the 78th minute for a challenge from behind, in what was, until that point, a calm match.
The USA were very nearly given a lifeline in the 83rd minute as Katie Hoyle deflected the ball toward her own goal but again Bindon saw the ball come straight to her.
With three minutes to play the USA won a great free-kick but unfortunately the shot from Rapinoe yet again went straight to Bindon as New Zealand defended resolutely.
Less than one minute later the USA scored in contentious circumstances as Megan Rapinoe sent the ball in for Morgan who sent the ball goalwards, Bindon again looked to have saved but the assistant referee adjudged that the goal had crossed the line, leaving the New Zealand defense stunned.
The USA used that momentum to control the final few minutes plus stoppage and finally found a winner in stoppage time as Morgan sent in a brilliant header, her header allowing Morgan through and she scored with a calm finish.
Sundhage reflected after the match "we did some tactical stuff and I was happy with that, we switched 3-4-3 in the last twelve minutes chasing the goal."
Sundhage was surprised by New Zealand "I didn't know what to expect really... it's always interesting to play against a team that has a new coach."
Rodriguez agreed "We didn't really know what to expect with their new coach, but it was good to come out with something to work on."
As usual the USA were looking forward with Morgan commenting after the match "there's always things to work on... we did a bit of a better job in the second half."
Wambach, "regardless of all those things that went wrong it showed the great charater of this team."
The crowd was the biggest for a Women's team match in eight years and was boosted by a busload of fans from San Antonio, organized by the Crocketteers.
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