USWNT beats Brazil 2-0 to bounce again from SheBelieves Cup disappointment

The U. S. Girls’s Nationwide Staff beat Brazil 2-0 in Los Angeles Saturday within the first skilled ladies’s sporting occasion ever held at SoFi Stadium. The win served as a reset after the crew’s disappointing 2-1 loss to Japan in its final outing on the SheBelieves Cup.

USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps warned us earlier than the match that the sport can be quick, aggressive and bodily, and within the opening minutes of the sport, her warning proved prescient. Brazil got here out of the locker room swinging, pushing practically all of its outfield gamers up into the USWNT’s half and forcing tight one-on-one duels. The tactic helped Brazil seize management of the match, but it surely did go away Brazil uncovered in its personal half. After 4 minutes of strong Brazil strain, the USWNT’s Alyssa Thompson snatched the ball, pitched a superbly weighted go by means of Brazil’s protection and arrange Trinity Rodman for the sport’s opening aim. 

Rodman, all smiles, celebrated by flipping her hair and miming the again damage that has bothered her for a lot of her profession. Was she tempting destiny with that one? Possibly — however Rodman would not be Rodman with out that type of cheeky enthusiasm. It was fantastic to see her again.