CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Oct. 3, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Team continued its 2019 Victory Tour presented by Allstate with a 2-0 win against Korea Republic before a state record crowd of 30,071 at Bank of American Stadium. Allie Long and Mallory Pugh both scored to deliver USWNT head coach Jill Ellis her 106th career win, moving her past the late great Tony DiCicco for the most victories in program history.
The USA was dangerous on the attack throughout the game, generating 19 shots (seven on target) but was unlucky to hit the woodwork on multiple occasions in both halves.
Julie Ertz was first to be denied by the woodwork, rifling a drive squarely off the left post early in the opening stanza before a defender was able to prevent her from finishing the rebound. Later in the first half, Pugh’s stinging, wide angle drive forced a fingertip save from Korea goalkeeper Kim Min-Jung, who pushed the shot onto the crossbar.
The U.S. offense broke through just before the stroke of halftime as Pugh drew a freekick on the right wing. Megan Rapinoe, playing in her first match for the USA since the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, bent the ensuing freekick behind the Korean defense for the crashing Long who volleyed home her eighth career goal and the 1-0 lead.
Long departed at halftime, making way for Christen Press who immediately created a quality chance that Carli Lloyd smashed off the bar as the U.S. set about building its lead.
Press was then denied on a breakaway chance -- after a smart, quick throw-in by Rapinoe – when Min-Jung got a leg out in time to make a kick save. Moments later Press was put through on goal again by a sumptuous through-ball from Lloyd but put her shot off the left post after rounding the goalkeeper. Two follow-up attempts were cleared out of danger by defenders.
Fifteen minutes from time, Pugh capped off the scoring, heading in a Rapinoe corner kick to put the U.S. up 2-0. That score would stand up for the final result as the USA celebrated its 18th victory of the year.
Next on the Schedule: The WNT concludes the 2019 Victory Tour against Korea Republic at Soldier Field in Chicago on Oct. 6 (2 p.m. CT; ESPN). The game will be the swan song for Jill Ellis, the the USWNT’s all-time winningest head coach and winner of back-to-back World Cups.
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USA – Mallory Pugh (Megan Rapinoe), 76h minute: From the right corner flag, Rapinoe zipped a cross into the six-yard box directly to an unmarked Pugh who acrobatically turned the ball on goal, redirecting it into the net. USA 2, KOR 0 [WATCH] FINAL
With the win, the USWNT improves to 10-0-2 all-time vs. Korea Republic, which is currently ranked No. 20 in the world.
Ellis now has 106 victories as USWNT head coach, passing the late great Tony DiCicco for most all-time.
The attendance of 30,071 is the largest crowd ever for the USWNT in North Carolina.
Allie Long’s goal was her second of 2019 and eighth of her career. She made her 49th career appearance for the USWNT tonight.
Mallory Pugh scored her sixth goal of 2019 and 18th of her career tonight in what was her 59th USWNT cap.
Megan Rapinoe, who missed the first three Victory Tour games due to injury, now has six assists in 2019. This was her first WNT match since the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, where she scored on a penalty kick. She won the Golden Ball as the top player and the Golden Boot as the top scorer at the World Cup. She was recently named The FIFA Best Women’s Player of 2019.
Seven players – Sam Mewis, Kelley O’Hara, Morgan Brian, Ali Krieger, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Lindsey Horan -- were not available for the game due to injury.
Krieger, who could not play due to a knee injury, was honored before the game for her 100th cap, which she earned before the World Cup in a match against New Zealand in St. Louis. She is the 38th player in USWNT history to play 100 or more matches.
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Korea Republic
Date: October 3, 2019
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Bank of America Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.
Attendance: 30,071
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Weather: 81 degrees; clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 1 2
KOR 0 0 0
USA – Allie Long (Megan Rapinoe) 45+3 minute
USA – Mallory Pugh (Megan Rapinoe) 76
USA: 18-Ashlyn Harris (capt.); 14-Emily Sonnett, 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 19-Crystal Dunn (12-Tierna Davidson, 46); 8-Julie Ertz, 20-Allie Long (23-Christen Press, 46), 16-Rose Lavelle (25-Andi Sullivan, 66); 2-Mallory Pugh, 10-Carli Lloyd, 15-Megan Rapinoe (22-Jessica McDonald, 78)
Substitutes not used: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 21-Adrianna Franch
Not available: 3-Samantha Mewis, 5-Kelley O’Hara, 6-Morgan Brian, 11-Ali Krieger, 13-Alex Morgan, 17-Tobin Heath
Head coach: Jill Ellis
KOR: 18-Kim Minjung; 2-Ha Eunhye (12-Kim Soeun, 80), 5-Kim Hyeyeong, 6-Lim Seonjoo, 8-Cho So Hyun (14-Lee Sodam, 75), 9-Jang Selgi, 10-Ji Soyun (16-Park Yeeun, 90+2), 11-Moon Mira (15-Jang Chang, 87), 17-Lee Seaeun (7-Lee Youngju, 65), 20-Kim Hyeri (capt.), 23-Kang Chaerim (22-Son Hwayeon, 76)
Substitutes not used: 1-Kang Gaae, 21-Min Yukyeong, 3-Hong Hyeji, 4-Eo Hee Jin, 19-Lee Hyokyeong, 24-Kim Jinhui
Head coach: Hwang Insun
Stats Summary: USA / KOR
Shots: 19 / 6
Shots on Goal: 7 / 3
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 2
Fouls: 7 / 12
Offside: 4 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
KOR – Ji Soyun (caution) 56th minute
Officials:
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Referee: Gillian MARTINDALE (BRB) |
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Assistant Referee 1: Jassett KERR (JAM) |
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Assistant Referee 2: Nelly ALVARADO (CRC) |
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4th Official: Rebecca MORA (CRC) |
U.S. Soccer Woman of the Match: Julie Ertz