In a highly competitive match Thursday night, Allie Long, Lindsey Horan and the U.S. Women’s National Team were upset by Hayley Raso and Australia, as the Matildas secured a 1-0 victory in their opening Tournament of Nations match at Century Link Stadium.
Horan and Long each got the start in Thursday’s match, with Horan going 64 minutes and Long, 77, for the Yanks.
The game remained scoreless through 66 minutes until the U.S. failed to clear a ball from danger. Raso, who came on in the 53rd minute for Australia, got a foot on the ball as it bounced around the box. It was eventually redirected to the foot of Tameka Butt, who allowed the ball to settle before taking an off balanced strike that snuck through the far side of the goal.
Despite many American attempts to equalize against the Matildas, keeper Lydia Williams came up strong each time to hold the lead and protect her clean sheet. The single goal proved to be the difference in the match, as the women's Australian team defeated the U.S. WNT for the first time in history.
The U.S. WNT will next play Brazil on July 30 (5:00pm PT, ESPN2) after Australia takes on Japan that same day (2:15pm PT | ESPN3).
