USA-Russia: Early goals spark easy U.S. victory
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Apr 7, 2017
Dunn, who joined England's Chelsea this winter, was one of three U.S. players who returned from Europe for the series. Carli Lloyd, who plays for Manchester City, set up Dunn with a delicate pass for the opening goal in the 10th minute.
Alex Morgan, who will meet Lloyd in the semifinals of the UEFA Women's Champions League when Lyon faces Manchester City, came on for Lloyd at the start of the second half.
Long's two goals, both on headers, came exactly a year after her first multi-goal game for the USA against Colombia in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Probably the most encouraging aspect of the game was the play of youngsters Rose Lavelle, whose assist on Long's first goal was her first career assist, and Mallory Pugh, who set up Long's second goal.
Back from injuries were starters Meghan Klingenberg, who missed the SheBelieves Cup, and Kelley O'Hara, who played only a limited role at the March tournament, and sub Megan Rapinoe, who made her first U.S. appearance in almost seven months.
Up Next: USA-Russia in Houston on Sunday, April 9 (ESPN: 2 p.m. ET).
April 6 in Frisco, Texas
USA 4 Russia 0. Goals: Dunn 10, 41, Long 18, 70.
USA -- Naeher, Sauerbrunn, O'Hara (Oyster, 68), Short, Klingenberg (Krieger, 46), Lloyd (Morgan, 46), Pugh (Rodriguez, 80), Mewis, Lavelle (Rapinoe, 80), Dunn (Press, 64), Long.
Russia -- Belyaeva; Sheikina (Kovalenko, 72), Karpova, Makarenko, Cholovyaga, Terekhova (Pantiukhina, 46), Sochneva, Belomyttseva, Ziiastinova, Chernomyrdina, Morozova (Danilova, 16).
Att.: 15,191.
5 comments about "USA-Russia: Early goals spark easy U.S. victory".
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The first half was technically superior. Once the coach made her desicion to change players it became a boring game. Conclusion :1. we need a BETTER coach, 2: Rapino,Press, Morgan belong to the bench , they are old for fast and aggresive soccer like Lavelle ,Pugh and Dunn can play. These players can control the ball with either foot and this of course it is a major assett Players who can not shoot wth both legs should be carefully discharged from the national team. Ms Rodriguez has shown a very poor form , may be she never will be able to attain an adequate form now that she is a house wife with children. We can not understand why the coach called her, a GOOD COACH would select younger and eager to learn and improve players. Ms. Long is too slow to play defense and needs to practce all summer HOW TO KICK a penalty along with all the other players if indeed they care about representing the Country This concern should be a priority of a good coach
Lavelle was a revelation but, was very disappointed to see her have a great goal scoring opportunity @ the top of the box and not use her right foot. She has really great vision. Not sure what Ellis has against Press. She always seems to on the fringe. Just like Wambach, you need to know when to move on from the older players.
Nice through pass by Lloyd.
The transition to new/younger players is obvious. The quality of the younger players is obvious. Just as obvious is Long is too slow and has poor technical skills for this level. Short has a nice human interest story but is too old and has had too many knee problems to be in the picture for the next WC. I agree that Morgan, Press, Rapino and Rodriquez did not look like they were in WC form.
Harsh words. Most of the players are in pre-season. Others are returning from injury layoffs. The coach is the 2015 FIFA women's coach of the year and one of the finalists for 2016. She is doing a good job getting the team ready for qualifying. I like the 442 with Kelly O'Hara. She is very underappreciated. A national team is not 11 players or even just 23 players.
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