Carli Lloyd scores 102nd goal in 4-0 win against Chile
Yesterday evening, the U.S. Women’s National Team concluded their second match in California against Chile. The No. 1 team in the world solidified a 4-0 win over Chile and forward Carli Lloyd scored her ninth career brace in her 259th appearance to extend the lead in the second half.
“We’ve got high quality players; they’re played in and we’re in a good place. It speaks a lot about the quality players we have in this country and the depth we have,” said head coach Jill Ellis. “We have a lot of different players tonight. I was pleased overall and I think it gave us a good run out before World Cup qualifying.”
On Friday’s game against Chile, the U.S. celebrated a 3-0 win, but saw what progress was needed for improvements. During this match, it took the U.S. a bit longer to score, but they maintained control of the ball and once the first goal was scored, the rest came rolling in.
In the 34th minute, the U.S. was given a penalty kick since Chile defender Camila Saez took down forward Mallory Pugh in the box. Alex Morgan took the penalty kick, but missed the shot. Goalkeeper Christiane Endler deflected the shot, but Tobin Heath crossed it to Pugh, who kneed in the ball to gain back the goal that was lost.
Five minutes after Pugh’s goal, Heath scored one for herself. Defender Tierna Davidson headed the ball towards the goal and landed to Heath and her first touch made it to the back of the net to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead by the end of the first half.
Lloyd was subbed in for Pugh and quickly made her move on the ball 70 seconds after she stepped on the pitch. Her goal in the 47th minute came off a free kick from Heath and Lloyd headed the ball to the bottom right of the net.
Lloyd not only scored the third goal for the U.S, but also record her 102nd goal towards the end of the second half. In the third minute of stoppage time, the two-time Best FIFA Women's Player award winner gained the ball from Chile at the middle of the field and dribbled to the penalty box and past Chile defender Carla Guerrero to finalize the 4-0 result.
“I think that bringing a work ethic is standard for me and anything above that, creating chances and just helping the team in any way possible is my job," said Lloyd. "As a substitute going on you’re expected to change the game and that’s what I tried to do these last two games.”
This match was the final friendly for the U.S. as they now move on to the 2018 Concaf Women’s Championship against Mexico on Oct. 4 in Cary, N.C.
