I took three decades and 28 tries but #7 Australia has finally defeated the #1 ranked United States Women’s National Team. It happened late last night in Seattle, as the USWNT fell 1-0 to the Matildas in the 2017 Tournament of Nations opener.
How did this happen Alex Morgan?
“I think at the end of the day we gave up a goal that was against the run of play and was unfortunate, but we should have climbed our way back in, and we were a little unlucky on those chances,” the U.S. forward said in the mixed zone
“We knew what to expect out of them but we find ourselves in a little bit of a lull in the later part of the first half.”
Australia midfielder Tameka Butt scored the only goal of the match in the 67th minute after the Stars and Stripes failed to clear the ball from inside their own box. The reigning world champions, still top ranked by FIFA, have a quick turnaround, against another top ten opponent, #8 Brazil on Sunday.
“I think it would be extremely difficult and frustrating to then not go and play with the national team for a little bit,” Alex Morgan continued. “So to have this opportunity to face two more quality opponents and at the same time know that if we win the next two games, we win the tournament because of the tie between Brazil and Japan gives us a lot of hope still.”
Alex Morgan and the USWNT will then face #6 Japan on Thursday.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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