USWNT Bound for World Cup Finals
The United States Women’s National Team will play for a fourth World Cup title on Sunday, July 7 after defeating England 2-1 in Lyon on Tuesday. Reign FC players Megan Rapinoe and Allie Long will have a chance to help the U.S. complete its historic run, while forward Jodie Taylor will have a chance to help the Lionesses finish third.
The U.S. continued its trend of early goals when Christen Press headed in a cross from Tobin Heath at the back post in the 10th minute.
England responded nine minutes later when Ellen White got on the end of a cross from Beth Mead and redirected the ball to the far post to equalize.
Alex Morgan scored her sixth goal of the tournament and first since the United States’ first match of the tournament with a header on the end of a Lindsay Horan cross in the 31st minute.
England had two chances to equalize in the second half. White appeared to have scored a brace in the 67th minute after finding space behind the U.S.’s back line, but the goal was disallowed for offside after review.
White also drew a penalty in the 81st minute. Referee Edina Alves Batista did not initially call U.S. centerback Becky Sauerbrunn for a foul, but pointed to the spot after a video review.
Steph Houghton took her penalty low and to the left, but was foiled by a diving stop by Alyssa Naeher. England were reduced to 10 players minutes later when Millie Bright received her second yellow card.
The U.S. outshot the Lionesses 10-7, but finished level with four shots on target apiece.
Reign FC’s Allie Long and Megan Rapinoe did not appear for the U.S., while Reign FC forward Jodie Taylor remained on the bench for England.
Taylor and the Lionesses will face the loser of the July 3 semifinal between the Netherlands and Sweden on Saturday, July 6 at 8:00 a.m. PT.
Rapinoe, Long and the U.S. WNT will face the winner of the other semifinal at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu on Sunday, July 7 at 8:00 a.m. PT. Fans can join the official Reign FC World Cup Viewing Parties at Rhein Haus in Seattle and Tacoma, with doors opening forty-five minutes before the match.