#TBT: USWNT Prevails in Tournament of Nations Thriller VS. Brazil - July 30, 2017

The head-to-head series between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Brazil has seen no shortage of dramatic matches.

In 1999, the USA pushed past Brazil, 2-0, in the semifinal of the World Cup in front of 73,123 fans on goals from now U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow and Michelle Akers. In the 2000 Olympics, the USA edged Brazil 1-0 on a goal from Mia Hamm. At the 2004 Olympics, Abby Wambach clinched the gold medal against Brazil with a game-winning header in overtime off a corner kick from Kristine Lilly. In 2008, Carli Lloyd followed suit in the Olympic Final, also against Brazil, scoring a dramatic overtime strike. In 2011, Wambach’s spectacular and famous header in the 122^nd minute against Brazil tied the game and sent the World Cup quarterfinal matchup to penalty kicks – which the USA eventually won.

Fast forward to 2017, where a wild game once again ensued between the two perennial women’s soccer powers, this time on U.S. soil. 

 

After falling behind 3-1 during the Tournament of Nations match in San Diego, the USA rallied to score three goals in nine minutes at the end of the match and came away with a dramatic 4-3 win. 

HIGHLIGHTS: USWNT COMEBACK VS. BRAZIL | JULY 30, 2017

 

Coming off a 1-0 loss to Australia three days prior in the inaugural match of the Tournament of Nations, the USWNT was looking to rebound against Brazil in a July 30 matchup at Qualcomm Stadium.

The drama was on display from the onset, as Brazil took an early 1-0 lead. Samantha Mewis pulled one back for the USA with a strike from distance in the 18^th minute.

Tied 1-1 at halftime, Brazil converted off a corner kick in the 63^rd to reclaim the lead. Andressinha’s free kick goal in the 78^th minute extended Brazil’s lead to 3-1 with time ticking away, but the frantic nine-minute stretch that followed quickly turned the tides in favor of the Americans, and some say, ignited a fire that took the team all the way to 2019 Women’s World Cup title.

The thrilling finish to the match was perhaps best summed up by U.S. captain Carli Lloyd in her post-match remarks:

- U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT –

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Brazil
Date: July 30, 2017
Competition: Tournament of Nations
Venue: Qualcomm Stadium; San Diego, Calif.
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. PT
Attendance:  21,096
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny


Scoring Summary:     1       2        F
USA                              1       3        4
BRA                              1       2        3

BRA – Andressinha (Debinha)  2nd minute
USA – Samantha Mewis (Megan Rapinoe)  18
BRA – Bruna Benites (Marta)  63
BRA – Andressinha  78
USA – Christen Press (Megan Rapinoe)  80
USA – Megan Rapinoe (Christen Press)  85
USA – Julie Ertz (Carli Lloyd)  89
 

Lineups:

USA:  1-Alyssa Naeher; 16-Taylor Smith (8-Julie Ertz, 57), 7-Abby Dahlkemper, 14-Casey Short (2-Sydney Leroux, 76), 5-Kelley O’Hara; 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 3-Samantha Mewis (20-Allie Long, 86), 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.); 19-Crystal Dunn (22-Mallory Pugh, 53), 13-Alex Morgan (23-Christen Press, 57), 15-Megan Rapinoe (12-Lynn Williams, 90+1)
Head coach: Jill Ellis

BRA: 1-Barbara; 15-Leticia (8-Maria, 71), 21-Monica, 3-Bruna Benites 22-Jucinara (6-Tamires, 46); 5-Djenifer, 7-Gabi Nunes (20-Camila, 22), 17-Andressinha; 9-Debinha (13-Andreia Rosa, 82), 10-Marta, 16-Bia Zaneratto (19-Ludmila, 86)
Head coach: Emily Lima

Official: 
Referee: Melissa Borjas (HON)