The U.S. Women’s National Team earned a convincing 3-1 win against the Korea Republic on Thursday night at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in the first of a pair of friendlies against the AFC foe.
The USA controlled the tempo from the get-go and out-shot Korea Republic 11-3 in the first half. Julie Ertz and Alex Morgan continued their excellent form as both found the net in the first half, their fourth and fifth goals of 2017, respectively. South Korea created its only shot on goal of the first half deep into stoppage time with debutante Han Chaerin scoring a fantastic strike from 23 yards out to pull her team within one.
The Korea goal came after referee had added three minutes of stoppage time, but added two more after Mallory Pugh went down with a hamstring injury at the end of the half and the visitors ended up scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The U.S. maintained its organized play on the field after the break and earned a penalty kick following a foul committed against Megan Rapinoe in the 52nd minute. Rapinoe took the spot kick, scoring her third goal of the year to once again extend the USA lead to a two-goal advantage, which ultimately stood for the final 3-1 scoreline.
The U.S. WNT will now travel to Cary, North Carolina for a second match against Korea Republic on Oct. 22 (2 p.m. ET; ESPN) at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Julie Ertz (Megan Rapinoe), 24th minute: Megan Rapinoe’s well-struck corner kick from the left side was directed to the near post where the diving Ertz sent a low skidding header through the goalkeeper’s legs for the USA’s first goal of the game and her fourth of 2017. USA 1, KOR 0. GOAL.
USA – Alex Morgan (Kelley O’Hara), 40th minute: Kelley O’Hara made a fantastic dribbling run into the penalty box on the right side, beating her defender to the end line before cutting a cross back for Morgan who held off a defender, spun toward goal, and finished with a blistering left-footed shot. USA 2, KOR 0. GOAL.
KOR – HAN Chaerin, 45+5 minute: A late push from the Korea Republic proved successful after a long clearance landed at the feet of Han Chaerin whose shot from distance found the upper left-hand corner to bring the visitors within one with her first career goal in her first cap. USA 2, KOR 1. GOAL.
USA – Megan Rapinoe (penalty kick), 52nd minute: The USA started the second half well, putting pressure on the Korean goal and earned a penalty kick when Rapinoe was chopped down in the box by Ji Soyun. Rapinoe took the kick herself and slammed it home for her third score of 2017. USA 3, KOR 1. GOAL.
