Press, Rapinoe Rating, US Beats Brazil 2-Zero in SheBelieves Cup | Sports activities Information

By Mitch Rapp Last updated Feb 21, 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Christen Press scored in the 11th minute, Megan Rapinoe scored a late goal and the US women beat Brazil 2-0 in the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday.

The United States top the SheBelieves Cup standings with two wins. Canada defeated Argentina 1-0 late on Sunday. The round robin tournament ends on Wednesday when the US beat Argentina (0-2) and Canada (1-1) beat Brazil (1-1).

The United States, which won the last two World Cups, are now unbeaten in 36 straight games and 52 straight games.

“One thing I learned from playing the US women’s team is that you have to prepare for every single game like it is the most important game of your life,” said Press. “So that’s the approach I’m taking.”

The Americans have won five straight wins against Brazil and are unbeaten in their last seven games. The team is 20-0-2 against Brazil on American soil.

“I am obviously disappointed at the beginning of the game. We conceded a goal. But not just a goal, as we played our attack in the first 20 minutes,” said Brazil coach Pia Sundhage. “There is certainly room for improvement. But then, in the second half and the fact that we created quite a few chances, I’m happy with that. “

Press took a pass from Lindsey Horan and rushed forward to deceive a defender from a mighty blow to the far corner of the net. It was the 10th goal for Press in their last 13 games for the national team and the 59th international goal.

“Lindsey played me a great ball in a diagonal so I wasn’t in an intersection. I was actually able to cut in and open the corner of the goal,” said Press. “And that’s exactly what I want to do. It’s my signature and my signature style. It was great to see how it goes in the back of the web.”

Moments later, Crystal Dunn’s glider prevented Debinha from breaking free. Brazil had a good chance in the 82nd minute when Marta found Debinha in the box, but the shot went just wide.

For US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher it was the 10th shutout in a row.

Alex Morgan made her first start for the national team since the birth of daughter Charlie last year. Morgan and Press were made off in the 71st minute and replaced by Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd.

Horan operated the ball for Rapinoe, who scored in the 88th minute. After meeting, Rapinoe made a baby rocking gesture in honor of teammates Ali Krieger and Ashlynn Harris, who recently adopted daughter Sloane.

“I am very happy that we are creating opportunities and the fact that we are doing it in a way that is very creative with some good pieces makes me very happy and tells me that we are going in the right direction.” US coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “The fact that we’re not done yet isn’t disappointing, but we have to deal with it.”

Sundhage, who coached the US from 2008 to 2012, took over Brazil last summer and set an 8-2-3 record.

The US beat Canada 1-0 in Thursday’s SheBelieves Cup opener, while Brazil beat rivals Argentina 4-1. This is the second time Brazil has entered this tournament, now in its sixth year.

For the first time this year, all US players stood before the game for the national anthem.

“I think those who kneeled together felt like we were kneeling to draw attention to police brutality and systemic racism,” Dunn said. “Going forward, we’ve decided that we don’t have to kneel anymore because we do the work behind the scenes. We fight systemic racism. We never felt like we would kneel forever. “

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