The United States women’s soccer team jumped out to an early lead over England in their World Cup semi-final match in Lyon on a stunning header from forward Christen Press, but the Lionesses struck right back with an equalizer from Ellen White moments later.
In the tenth minute, Press, who started for captain Megan Rapinoe, took a perfect crossing pass from teammate Kelley O’Hara and knocked it by England goalkeeper Carly Telford, who was a surprise substitution ahead of Karen Bardsley.
In the 19th minute White leveled the score by tipping a centering pass from teammate Beth Mead past American goaltender Alyssa Naeher.
U.S. head coach Jill Ellis has insisted that the decision to bench Rapinoe was not made for any disciplinary reasons, although she did not rule out the possibility of an injury. Rapinoe did not participate in pregame warmups.
Ellis, who has rotated her lineups throughout the World Cup, said she would explain Rapinoe’s absence after the game.
Press had a few other chances in the early going, including one on a free kick, which is usually Rapinoe’s duty. However, the U.S. failed to convert
In the 19th minute Ellen White leveled the score by tipping a centering pass from teammate Beth Mead past American goaltender Alyssa Naeher
The U.S. women’s soccer team jumped out to an early 1-0 over England in their World Cup semi-final match in Lyon Tuesday thanks to a stunning header from forward Christen Press (No 23), who started in front of team captain Megan Rapinoe
Press, who started for captain Megan Rapinoe, took a perfect crossing pass from teammate Kelley O’Hara and knocked it by England goalkeeper Carly Telford, who was a surprise substitution ahead of Karen Bardsley
The U.S. women’s soccer has kicked off its World Cup semi-final matchup against England without captain Megan Rapinoe (left_, who is on the bench after scoring all four of the team’s goals in knockout stage wins over Spain and France. Rapinoe has been at the center of controversy throughout the tournament, in part, because of her refusal to sing the national anthem
Rapinoe has been at the center of controversy throughout the tournament, particularly after telling Eight by Eight magazine that she ‘won’t go the f***ing White House’ if the team wins the World Cup.
Her comments were made public just a day after Trump said her refusal to sing the national anthem was inappropriate. (Rapinoe, once again, did not sing the anthem on Tuesday)
Besides the coarse language, Rapinoe doubled down on the statement.
‘I stand by the comments that I made about not wanting to go to the White House with exception of the expletive,’ she said Thursday. ‘My mom will be very upset about that.’
She was one of the first athletes outside of the NFL to kneel during the national anthem in support for Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has since passed a rule compelling players to stand for the anthem. Rapinoe, who will turn 34 on Friday, has adhered to the restriction, but has steadfastly refused to sing The Star-Spangled Banner.
‘She’s always been unique in her style and flair and off the field she’s also a warrior,’ said Press.
Players of England shake hands with players of USA prior to the semifinal match in Lyon on Tuesday
Veteran forward Carli Lloyd arrives at Stade de Lyon ahead of Tuesday’s game against England
U.S. fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the Women’s World Cup semi-final matchup with England
Out of the 1.05 million tickets sold for the month-long competition so far, more than 100,000 were snapped up by American fans, according to Erwan Le Prevost, director of the World Cup Local Organizing Committee
Much like the players themselves, the United States women’s soccer team fans were not lacking confidence ahead of the game in Lyon.
‘We’re going to smash it!’ declared U.S. supporter Laurie in sunny Lyon on Tuesday, hours before kickoff.
But despite vast swathes of Americans in the southern French city, clad in stars and stripes and some even braving face paint in the searing 86F degree heat, there was still some anxiety in the U.S. corner.
Even Laurie’s husband William was not as confident as she was about the team who have a record three World Cups and four Olympic gold medals to their name, having made the trip via London from Boston.
‘I don’t know, I think it’s going to be very competitive. England has a very strong defensive team. (Ellen) White is a very good scorer, so I think it’s going to be close,’ he told Reuters.
Many of the British tabloids in the build-up to the game had pondered whether the U.S. side were too arrogant, in view of their raucous celebrations after each goal in their record 13-0 thrashing of Thailand at the start of the tournament.
But there was a healthy dose of confidence from the other side too, especially at the official FIFA fan park at Place Bellecour in Lyon, where a spirited rendition of England anthem ‘Three Lions’ could be heard across the square as fans gathered.
The chorus of ‘Football’s coming home…’, originally taken from a song recorded in 1996, became a staple for England fans last year at the men’s World Cup in Russia when that side also reached the last four.
‘I’m pretty confident, I think we’re going to win 2-1,’ said Annie from Manchester, who along with friends Mary and Eleanor had arrived in Lyon having bought their tickets for the semi-finals and final almost six months ago.
‘We got tickets on the day they came out. We were pretty confident England were going to make the semis and now here we are!’ she added.
The trio admitted to being a little intimidated however by the sheer number of U.S. fans out in force. Out of the 1.05 million tickets sold for the month-long competition so far, more than 100,000 were snapped up by American fans, according to Erwan Le Prevost, director of the World Cup Local Organizing Committee.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s game, emotions have boiled over onto Twitter too, with fans of Team USA urging their favorite players – on the week of America’s birthday – to ‘beat those redcoats one last time’
Despite the distance to travel, including a number of flights and connections, the pull of supporting the U.S. team transcends simply cheering on anyone wearing the stars and stripes.
‘I like how political the team is and how open they are about sharing their experience of women’s soccer players in the U.S. and being a model to young girls,’ said Ashley, who traveled from Detroit via Amsterdam to Lyon for the match.
‘They were a model to me growing up, and I hope that continues in the future.’
While there was tough talk between supporters on their way to the almost 60,000-seat Stade de Lyon, it was always shared with a smile as the pleasant and family-friendly atmosphere around the tournament continued.
That may change once kick off arrives, however, as England seek to break America’s hegemony of the game.
The U.S. reigned triumphant over France on Friday in a hard-fought 2-1 win in which Rapinoe bagged both American goals.
But Jill Ellis’ squad will face their toughest feat yet, when they do battle against England’s young and hungry Lionesses, who are ranked at No.3 in the world – just two spots behind the U.S.
Tensions between the two teams have never been higher after England manager Phil Neville called into question the ‘etiquette’ of the U.S. team after two staff members were seen at the Lionesses’ hotel over the weekend. (Ellis insists the staffers were inspecting the facility because, if the U.S. beats England, the team could stay there ahead of the World Cup final)
Now emotions have boiled over onto Twitter too, with U.S. fans urging their favorite players – on the week of America’s birthday – to ‘beat those redcoats one last time’.
‘The week of July 4…. We have no other option than to send them packing just as we did in 1776,’ Laurie Seagreaves tweeted on Tuesday morning.
Brian Wedig agreed, adding: ‘Sorry, England. It’s America’s birthday week. We do what we want at the beginning of July. You’re just going to have to take another ‘L’.’
Tuesday’s game comes just two days before July 4 celebrations will erupt around the country, marking 243 years the since Declaration of Independence was signed, freeing the 13 American colonies from the rule of the British monarchy.
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks recorded a video of himself in front of London’s Tower Bridge in an effort to cheer on the U.S. women: ‘Team USA you got to do it for us!’
‘Sorry, England. It’s America’s birthday week. We do what we want at the beginning of July. You’re just going to have to take another ‘L’,’ Brian Wedig tweeted
ENGLAND MANAGER PHIL NEVILLE QUESTIONS U.S. ETIQUETTE OVER ‘SPYGATE’ SCANDAL AHEAD OF WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL
Phil Neville questioned the American team’s etiquette after two staffers were found at England’s hotel in Lyon
By Reuters
England manager Phil Neville has criticized the United States Soccer Federation for breaching etiquette by sending officials to the Lionesses’ hotel in Lyon ahead of Tuesday’s women’s World Cup semi-final.
American team staff visited the England hotel while Neville’s side were training on Sunday, with reports saying that their aim was to assess the venue as possible accommodation if they beat England and reach the final.
Normal etiquette in tournament football is for the two teams to stay in separate accommodation and it is highly unusual for officials to step inside the opposition’s hotel.
Neville suggested his U.S. counterpart, Jill Ellis, would not have approved of the move.
‘It’s their problem. I’m sure Jill won’t have been happy with that arrangement. I wouldn’t have been, if that was my team ops person going round and I’m sure she will be dealing with their own infrastructure with their own discipline,’ he said.
But in an earlier news conference, when Ellis was asked if it was not ‘arrogant’ for the U.S. to be planning a move into England’s accommodation with the presumption that they would win Tuesday’s game, she said it was simply prudent planning.
‘You have to plan ahead. Arrogance has nothing to do with us, that´s planning preparation for our staff. I think that´s pretty normal,’ she said
The U.S. delegation sent two members of staff yesterday to scout the Fourviere Hotel in Lyon, where England was staying