Though the FIFA women’s international window officially closed last week, confederation championships in Asia and South America are ongoing, keeping three prominent Thorns FC players active beyond the NWSL.
In Asia, Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso are part of the Australia team that, already qualified for the 2019 World Cup, pursue Asia’s top honor, having gone 2-0-1 in group play to secure a spot in Asian Cup’s knockout round.
In South America, Andressinha and Brazil finished top of their group to make Copa América’s final, four-team, round-robin phase, with the top two teams from the ensuing three-game test winning spots at France 2019.
Check back here throughout the week as Thorns FC’s last spring international appearances play out:
Completed games
April 22: Brazil 3, Colombia 0 - Brazil's toughest test of Copa América was scarcely a test at all, with South America's favorites getting a brace from Monica around a goal from Formiga to secure a three-goal result. Thorns FC midfielder Andressinha was in the team but didn't play as Brazil completed a perfect 7-0-0 tournament, confirming their confederation title.
April 20: Japan 1, Australia 0 - Substitute Yumi Yokoyama scored from just inside Australia's penalty box in the 84th minute to open the scoring in the Asian Cup final, effectively delivering the confederation's title to the 2011 world champions. Future Thorn Ellie Carpenter started and went the distance at right back in her final international appearance before joining her new team in Portland.
April 19: Brazil 3, Argentina 0 - Andressinha came on in the second half as Brazil took a huge step toward the 2019 World Cup with its second victory of Copa America over Argentina. Cristiane, Thaisa and Debinha scored as South America's top team moved to the brink of qualifying for the next Olympics and World Cups, eventually claiming those spots when Colombia and Chile's 0-0 draw guaranteed Brazil a top-two finish at Copa.
April 16: Brazil 3, Chile 1 – After being in the first XI for two straight games, Andressinha started on the bench as Brazil took another step toward the next World Cup. Coming on late for the legendary Formiga, the Thorns FC midfielder played two minutes plus stoppage time as A Seleção closed out a comfortable win over the host nation.
April 17: Australia 2 (4), Thailand (1) - Thailand was on the brink of a major upset going into second half stoppage time, taking advantage of an Australia squad that had rotated some starters to take a 2-1 lead past the 90th minute. Orlando's Alanna Kennedy, however, dramatically equalized in the 91st minute, and after a scoreless extra period, the Asian Cup favorites prevailed in a shootout. Ellie Carpenter started and played the full 120 minutes while an injured Hayley Raso was left out.
