Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Despite taking an early lead on a first-minute goal from Rose Lavelle, the U.S. women’s national team fell 2-1 to Portugal on Thursday night. The loss dropped the team’s record to 8-3-0 on the year, but they will have another chance on Sunday when they face Portugal again in East Hartford, Conn.
“In attack, it felt to me like we hadn’t played together in a long time,” coach Emma Hayes told reporters after the match. “I felt that we just rushed everything. We went direct. We didn’t look like the team that we’ve been working on, but that’s what happens when you’ve got 130 days apart.”
Lavelle’s goal came just 33 seconds into the match, marking the seventh-fastest goal in team history. It was Lavelle’s 26th goal for her country and was assisted by Catarina Macario.
She nearly had another in the ninth minute, but Portugal goalkeeper Inês Pereira forced the shot off the post. She had five saves in the match.
Portugal found an equalizer in the 41st minute off a corner kick that was headed in by Diana Gomes. Portugal’s go-ahead goal was also scored off a corner kick. Fátima Pinto shot through traffic and the ball was deflected into the bottom right corner.
“Halftime, we adapted a little bit and I thought we did better in the second half, but at the highest level it’s all the little details,” Hayes said. “Did we need to concede corners in the situations we were in? If we get ourselves in the right position in the first place, we don’t concede them.”
Part of the unfamiliarity came from Hayes’ decision to debut a new backline with Avery Patterson, Tara McKeown, Emily Sonnett and Emily Fox. The team also started newcomer Phallon Tullis-Joyce in goal, where she earned her fourth career cap. The team allowed seven shots, four on goal, and four corner kicks.
USWNT calls Eva Gaetino from U-23 camp
Friday morning, the USWNT called up defender Eva Gaetino from U-23 training camp for the final two games of the current FIFA window. She replaces forward Trinity Rodman, who withdrew this week due to an injury sustained in NWSL play. Gaetino earned her first cap last October when the team faced Argentina.
