Six months ago, midfielder Carli Lloyd headed in the goal that gave the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) a 1-0 victory over China PR for a
Six months ago, midfielder Carli Lloyd headed in the goal that gave the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) a 1-0 victory over China PR for a spot in the World Cup semifinals. Tomorrow, the 2015 World Cup-winning USWNT will revisit China PR in a friendly for its second-to-last match of the Victory Tour in Glendale, Ariz at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Sunday’s match comes off the heels of a USWNT, 6-0, win over Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday night. Goals were scored by Lloyd, forwards Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan, and Christen Press, who scored three goals. The team has not lost a match since February 8, against France and in 24 matches this year the USWNT have scored 72 goals and have surrendered only 11.
Sunday will be the third visit the USWNT has made to University of Phoenix Stadium, after playing to a 1-1 draw with Sweden in 2011 and a 2-0 win against Ireland in 2012. This will mark a homecoming trip for defender Julie Johnston (Arsenal/Sereno) of Mesa, Ariz.
China PR comes to Glendale having not lost an international match since being defeated by the U.S. in the World Cup quarterfinals. China is one of the most frequent opponents for the U.S. as the two countries have played each other 54 times. The USWNT holds a 33-8-13 all-time record against China.
U.S. team captain Christie Rampone will sit out this match due to issues with her knee and midfielder Megan Rapinoe also will continue to sit out with a season-ending torn ACL that occurred just last week while practicing in Hawaii.
Lloyd is rolling with a career high 18 goals this year, nine more than her closest teammate, Press. She has 79 career international goals. Morgan will be entering the match with 97 caps, which means she could be the next U.S. player to reach 100. Defender Becky Sauerbrunn has 94 caps.
Sunday’s match will air on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. PST.
