The United States opened the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Australia on Monday at Winnipeg Stadium.
Megan Rapinoe scored in both halves, and Christen Press added a third for the Americans in the win but it was Hope Solo who stole the show with four saves on the evening. Lisa De Vanna scored the only goal for the Australians. The U.S. Women now have a 28-5-4 record all-time at the Women’s World Cup.
The Australians began the match on the front foot as their high pressure immediately put the Americans under siege. The Matildas needed just five minutes to threaten the U.S. net as Emily Van Egmond launched a blast that forced Solo to make a brilliant diving save.
It was the U.S. who took the lead in the 12th minute when Rapinoe worked her way through the midfield before launching a shot from beyond 20 yards that deflected off an Australian defender for the goal. Moments later, the Australians nearly equalized when a Samantha Kerr volley was saved spectacularly by Solo.
Australia found their equalizer in the 27th minute when lax U.S. defending allowed an errant American clearance eventually found it’s way to De Vanna who fired a shot near post and past a diving Solo.
As the second half began, the Americans began to find their rhythm going forward, and in the 61st minute they pulled ahead for good. Sydney Leroux was the catalyst for the goal as the U.S. striker blazed down the left side, and then squared a pass to a wide-open Press for the easy finish from 12 yards out.
Rapinoe doubled the Americans’ lead in the 78th with a well-taken individual solo goal. The 29-year-old California native made a 40-yard run then launched a left-footed shot into the back of the Australian net to seal the win. Rapinoe’s brace against Australia gives her a total of 31 international goals.
U.S. star Alex Morgan came off the bench for the final 11 minutes in her first action since suffering a knee injury in April.
After the first match day, the U.S. find themselves atop Group D with three points, Nigeria and Sweden are tied for second with a point each after their 3-3 draw while Australia sit in last. The U.S. Women return to action on June 12 when they face Sweden at Winnipeg Stadium.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
