Stop-time goals at the end of each half drive are driven by USWNT to defeat a determined Nigeria in Austin’s new Q2 Stadium.
Seconds before from the whistle, Manchester United forward Christen Press found the pass from Carli Lloyd and rocketed the ball into the net.
The next 45 minutes saw Nigeria repel USWNT’s efforts as they attempted equalization without success. It seemed as if the match would end 1-0 before Lynn Williams came at the end of a clearance from the American half and sprinted towards the other end of the field to double the lead.
The US women’s national team swept all three matches in the summer series after winning over Portugal, Nigeria and Jamaica. Although the matches serve the purpose of a friendly match, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has experimented with starting line-ups before the complicated Olympic selection.
This is Andonovski’s first major rust message since taking office as USWNT head coach in October 2019. Before the final game in June, Portland Thorns player and current USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn told reporters what she expects from the coach.
“I’ve talked a lot with Vlatko a lot about the process for him, because it’s his first roster message,” Sauerbrunn said. “Just tell him how we’ve done it before and things that players really appreciate – namely honesty.”
Left side, right side, left foot, right foot does not matter @ChristenPress will get the ball in the net and there is nothing that anyone can do about it ??? pic.twitter.com/ebL5NlnwaZ
– Diaspora United (@DiasporaUtdPod) June 17, 2021
As Vlatko Andonovski has mentioned, this will not be an easy decision to make.
“I will say that the confidence level for the Olympics is higher than it was before,” said Andonovski, which means before the team defeated Portugal, Jamaica and Nigeria without conceding a goal. “I feel very good where we are and where the players are. When it comes to making final decisions, I feel very good.
“I feel we have a very good knowledge of the players. I have gathered a lot of knowledge and data for the players over the last six months. When the decision time comes, I think we will make the right decision for this team.”
