At least the U.S. still has one national team that can kick ass. The USWNT stars came out to shine in a 3-1 victory over South Korea on Thursday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Julie Ertz, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe all found the back of the net in a comfortable win over the 15th-ranked team in the world.
While the USMNT won’t make the Men’s World Cup next summer, the reigning Women’s World Cup champions are still going strong, winning their fifth straight and moving to 10-3 in 2017.
The No. 1-ranked team in the world took little time to get going against South Korea on Thursday, with Ertz opening the scoring in the 24th minute. The defender reached a near-post corner kick from Rapinoe with a diving header that snuck through South Korea goalkeeper Kang Ga-Ae’s legs.
Set piece? You better mark @julieertz.
Beautiful run and finish from our versatile defender to put on top. pic.twitter.com/dfJ0xT9vxj— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) October 20, 2017
Alex Morgan scored in her fourth straight game with the USWNT when Kelley O’Hara cut a ball back from the end line to Morgan, who controlled, turned and fired into the roof of the net for a 2-0 lead in the 40th minute.
RTs DO count as endorsements
Cool as you like from @alexmorgan13! pic.twitter.com/L1dEzik9nH— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) October 20, 2017
South Korea pulled within 2-1 with a goal from Han Chae-Rin in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time. Despite the loss, her goal was probably the best of the night, a solo effort in which she dribbled around until she found enough room to lace a 25-yard rocket off her left foot into the left corner of Alyssa Naeher’s goal.
But Rapinoe put the match away seven minutes into the second half when she drew and converted a penalty kick to make it 3-1.
Finished what she started @mPinoe earns the PK then strikes for her 3rd goal of 2017 and 34th career. pic.twitter.com/vHOV7xXN6a
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) October 20, 2017
Among the crowd of 9,371 at the Superdome were a number of New Orleans sports stars, including Drew Brees, Rajon Rondo, Anthony Davis, Franklin Jackson, Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram.
.@drewbrees and his family supporting @ussoccer_wnt in the Dome! #USAvKOR #Saints pic.twitter.com/uSR3ud0GbZ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 20, 2017
Future #USWNT star Myla Ingram in the with soccer dad @MarkIngram22.#USAvKOR | @Saints pic.twitter.com/4hanFKxodb
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) October 20, 2017
In other women’s friendlies on Thursday night, Brazil beat Mexico 3-0, North Korea topped China 2-1 and the Netherlands blanked Austria 2-0.
Another USWNT vs. South Korea match will be held on Sunday in North Carolina. ESPN will broadcast the match at 2 p.m. ET. After that, the next two games for the U.S. women will be against Canada on Nov. 9 and Nov. 12.
Because mornings are better with #USWNT highlights
More from NOLA: https://t.co/5KG2RY2h4e pic.twitter.com/4XuoI9lggo— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) October 20, 2017
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