Stanford grad Christen Press scored in the 77th minute to help the United States women’s senior national soccer team wallop visiting Switzerland, 4-1, on Wednesday in Cary, North Carolina.
The international friendly, the first ever meeting at the senior level between the two teams, was played in front of an appreciative, sold-out crowd.
The Americans (8-2-3) host Mexico on Sept. 13 in Sandy, Utah as they continue to prepare for the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifying that will take place in the United States.
Press scored her fifth goal of the season and the 13th of her 25-game national team career. She controlled a ball just outside the penalty box and lofted a shot over the Swiss goalkeeper’s head. The ball glanced off the bottom of the crossbar and deflected into the net.
Megan Rapinoe gave the Americans a 1-0 lead in the third minute of play. She dribbled in from midfield after winning the ball and played it to Sydney Leroux on the left. Leroux fedd it back to Rapinoe, who took a shot with her left foot from 18 feet away. It bounced off Swiss defender Rahel Kiwic and into the lower right corner.
Carli Lloyd and Abby Wambach each converted penalty kicks for the U.S. It was Lloyd’s 51st career goal and Wambach’s 168th.
Wambach has scored 43 goals in her last 54 games, covering a three-year span.
The U.S. extended its record home unbeaten streak to 85 games (74-0-11 since Nov. 6, 2004).
Ana Maria Crnogorcevic scored for the Swiss on a penalty kick.
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports