The U.S. Women’s National Team completed its preparation for the upcoming 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship with a 4-0 win on Tuesday night that capped off a two-match sweep of World Cup-bound Chile.
Similar to Friday’s first matchup, a 3-0 U.S. victory, the Americans controlled the game at Avaya Stadium from the outset, but this time took longer to break through in the attacking third. Chile came out with a more fire on the night, managing more shots than it was able to produce in the teams’ first encounter, while once again getting a superb performance from goalkeeper Christiane Endler, who saved eight of the USA’s 12 shots on goal.
The U.S. broke through in the 34th minute after Mallory Pugh was brought down inside the penalty box. Endler saved Alex Morgan’s attempt, but Heath was first to the rebound near the left post and sent a quick cross to Pugh, who used her knee to knock it home from close range. Heath added a second score five minutes later off a set play and sent the USA into the locker room with a 2-0 lead.
To start the second half, U.S. WNT head coach Jill Ellis brought on Carli Lloyd for Pugh and two-time Best FIFA Women’s Player award winner wasted no time scoring, making it 3-0 for the U.S. just 70 seconds after stepping on the field. The goal makes Lloyd, 36, the second oldest player to score for the USA after Kristine Lilly, who scored at age 38. Lloyd added another in stoppage time, beating her defender one-v-one and finishing with a shot to the far side netting for the final 4-0 scoreline.
NEXT: The USA will look to earn a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup berth as it begins Group A play at the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, which will be played from Oct. 4-17. The USA opens its qualifying schedule on Oct. 4 against Mexico (7:30 p.m. ET), faces Panama on Oct. 7 (5 p.m. ET) and then finishes group play against T&T on Oct. 10 (7:30 p.m. ET) with all three games being played at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
FOX Sports, the home of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will show the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship across the FOX Sports family of networks. For viewers on the go, matches can be streamed live via FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app. More about WCQ.
