by Dustin Jayroe

Pre-Independence Day Fireworks: The United States Women’s Soccer team vyed against England in the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, an ironic head-to-head between the rivals from 244 years ago. But on this day, the U.S. was the one clad in red (jerseys), with England adorning themselves in white. And on this day, the soccer field paralleled the battlefield, as the U.S. came out on top, besting the English 2-1. 

 

Christen Press got the U.S. on the board first, with a tenth-minute header that squeezed into the top left corner of the net. 

It did not take long for England to land a musket shot of their own, via a 19th-minute equalizer by Ellen White. The goal elevated her to six for the tournament, and one above Americans Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, who had five each as of this moment. 

Happy birthday to America, and happy birthday to you! Alex Morgan headed in a cross in the 31st-minute, becoming the first player in Women’s World Cup history to score on her birthday. The goal brought her back to level with England’s Ellen White, with six goals for the tournament. Morgan celebrated the go-ahead goal by miming a sip from a cup of “tea.” 

Ellen White equalized again in the 68th, but the referees went to the tape, and VAR ruled that she was offside in the lead-up, and thus the goal was disallowed. Still 2-1 U.S.

Just 11 minutes later, VAR struck again, this time to the detriment of the U.S., ruling that Ellen White was fouled in the box and a penalty kick was awarded for England – sure to be the midnight hour equalizer. Alyssa Naeher, the USWNT goalkeeper, had other plans, getting her fingers of freedom on Steph Houghton’s shot, blocking the attempt. 

England went down to 10 women after a red card was given to Millie Bright in the 86th, and that was all she wrote for the Lionesses. Same score, different day: the last three games for the U.S. in the tournament have all been 2-1 victories. 

The USWNT will move on to the final of the Women’s World Cup for the second time in a row, and fifth all-time. In total, the U.S. women are the winningest country in Women’s World Cup history, with three World Cup titles. 

They will face the winner of the semi-final matchup on the other side of the bracket between the Netherlands and Sweden. The final is on Sunday, July 7 – the perfect chaser for the long July 4 weekend. 

 

U.S. vs. Netherlands/Sweden

Sunday, July 7 – 10 a.m. CST

TV: Fox

Images courtesy of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team