Stanford grad Christen Press started her first match of the year, in her 100th career appearance with the U.S. women’s national soccer team, and recorded both assists in a 2-1 victory over China in an international friendly Tuesday in Cleveland.
Press became the 37th female player in U.S. history to reach the milestone, joining former Cardinal teammate Kelley O’Hara, who was the 36th player.
The victory gave the USA (7-0-1) a two-game sweep of China, which has already qualified for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
U.S. players return to their NWSL clubs as the USA doesn’t play until the Tournament of Nations, featuring the USA, Brazil, Australia and Japan.
The round-robin tournament will be comprised of three doubleheaders that will be played on July 26 in Kansas City, Kansas, July 29 in East Hartford, Conn., and Aug. 2 in Bridgeview, Ill.
The opening goal was set up through a quick series of passes that got Press free on the right flank. She sent a perfect cross to the far post for Megan Rapinoe to finish with a well-placed header in the 35th minute.
Rapinoe made her 137th international appearance, scored her 37th career goal and has moved ahead of April Heinrichs and Sydney Leroux into sole possession of 15th on the all-time goals list.
China tied the game in the 71st minute on a swift counter and American goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made a spectacular save in the 74th minute to keep the game tied.
A minute later, Press connected with Tobin Heath, who entered the game 10 minutes previously, on the opposite end for the game-winner. It was Heath’s first game action in nine months and her first WNT goal since November of 2016.
Notes: Defender Merritt Mathias earned her first cap for the USA. She is the 26th woman to earn a first cap under coach Jill Ellis . . . Stanford junior Tierna Davidson received the first yellow card of her international career . . . Not dressing tonight were Casey Murphy (GK), Abby Smith (GK), Sacred Heart Prep grad B Abby Dahlkemper (D) and Savannah McCaskill (F).
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USA Soccer
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USA Soccer
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USA Soccer