USWNT

USA Victory Tour: USWNT 4-0 Portugal

The US Women’s National Team’s Victory Tour rolled into Philadelphia on Thursday night as the team beat Portugal 4-0 in front of almost 50,000 people at Lincoln Financial Field.

The US was on top from the start, taking the lead in just the 4th minute. Julie Ertz played a terrific ball into the space down the left for Christen Press to run onto. The winger whipped in a lovely left footed cross that Tobin Heath only had to tap in at the far post.

It was 2-0 in the 18th minute. Morgan Brian was left unmarked at the back post on a corner kick and easily headed in from six yards.

Local lass Carli Lloyd would make it 3-0 just after halftime with a goal in the 54th minute. Crystal Dunn’s long throw in from the left was flicked on near the penalty spot and Lloyd, the Delran, NJ native, ghosted in at the far post to tap home. She of course celebrated by flapping her arms like an eagle.

Allie Long made it 4-0 with a header in the 81st minute. Lloyd was able to beat her defender cutting in along the end line on the right. She lofted a ball to the near post that Long did well to reach with a brave header just in front of the Portuguese goalkeeper.

The official attendance was 49,504. It was the largest attendance for a USWNT friendly in the team’s history. There are only eight larger crowds in the history of the program on American soil. Six of those were in the World Cup and the other two in the Olympics. The two lower levels of the Linc were completely full  and much of the upper level one one side of the stadium filled in as the match went on.

Coach Jill Ellis said after the match: “Holy cow. That was awesome,” when asked to describe the atmosphere.

4 Comments

  1. The Union Jack says:

    Pay ’em!!

  2. If they are going to have big games at the Linc they have to find a way to quickly get everyone in.

    I got there just before match time and didn’t get to my seat til the 30th minute

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