Commerce City, CO – Thursday April 04, 2019: The women’s national teams of the United States (USA) and Australia (AUS) during an international friendly match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
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By Michael Chan-Lok and Mason Cavalier
WashingtonSpirit.com
Boyds, Md. (April 5, 2019) – Washington Spirit players Rose Lavelle and Mallory Pugh took the field for the U.S. Women’s National Team on Thursday in a 5-3 victory against Australia in Commerce City, Colo. in front of a crowd of over 17,000 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Lavelle received the start and earned her 24th cap for her country, tallying 45 minutes and attempting two shots as the game went into the half tied 1-1 before being replaced by Samantha Mewis at the beginning of the second half.
After a Caitlin Foord goal in the 47th minute gave Australia a 2-1 lead, goals from Tobin Heath in the 53rd minute and Megan Rapinoe in the 61st saw the Matildas one-goal advantage disappear and had found themselves trailing by one.
Making her 49th appearance for the U.S., Pugh received cheers from her hometown fans after being subbed into the match in the 66th minute. The cheers grew louder as her first touch on the field found the back of the net 38 seconds into her appearance. Emily Sonnett fed Pugh a pass in the box as she was charging in from the right side and nailed the ball into the opposite corner of the net past Australia keeper Lydia Williams giving the United States a 4-2 lead in the 67th minute.
COLORADO CLUTCH.@MalPugh scores 38 seconds after subbing on in her home state! pic.twitter.com/KPmOey93uX
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 5, 2019
After a Sam Kerr goal in the 81st minute pulled the game within one, all hopes of an Australian comeback were erased in the 95th minute after Pugh squeezed past the Australian defense and sent a chip shot over Williams, sealing the 5-3 victory. Pugh’s brace gave her goals 14 and 15 for her country and earned her Woman of the Match honors.
Pugh Pugh Pugh x Two.@MalPugh puts this one to bed! pic.twitter.com/sWPEBvd98Y
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 5, 2019
This upcoming Sunday, the USWNT face off against 21st ranked Belgium on April 7 at Banc of America Stadium in Los Angeles and will be the first time the two nations have taken the field against one another.
Coverage for the match will begin at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
