Goals by Mallory Swanson and Alex Morgan powered the U.S. women’s national team to a 2-1 win over Brazil on Wednesday at the SheBelieves Cup. The team’s third straight victory helped the USWNT claim the tournament’s trophy. Here’s what you need to know:
- Swanson scored in her sixth straight game, finding the net in the 63rd minute to extend the USWNT’s lead in front of a crowd of 17,784 in Frisco, Texas.
- The 24-year-old forward became the first player to score in all three matches in a single SheBelieves Cup tournament, according to U.S. Soccer. She was named tournament MVP.
- Morgan opened the scoring for the U.S. with a goal just before halftime.
- Brazil’s Ludmila netted a late goal in the 90th minute for the final scoreline.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
USWNT grinds it out
The USWNT still aren’t as precise as they should be — and the crossbar bailed them out big time Wednesday — but for as much nit-picking as there will be over passing accuracy and missed tackles, they ground out a win thanks to when the press did work. Morgan’s first real look at goal (deemed offside by the assistant referee) was a product of Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Horan and Andi Sullivan all electing to push hard on the press, and forcing a Brazil turnover fairly centrally….
