It was a week of victories for the senior U.S. national teams. On Tuesday, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) secured their spot in the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final with a 2-1 victory over England. And on Wednesday night, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) defeated Jamaica 3-1 to earn their spot in the Gold Cup Final.
The USWNT was missing Megan Rapinoe from their Starting XI on Tuesday, but that didn’t make them any less dominant. In fact, her replacement-- Christen Press-- scored the first goal for the United States in the 10th minute. Kelley O’Hara delivered a beautiful cross from the right-wing and Press jumped up to get her head on it, sending it past goalkeeper Carly Telford. The U.S. took another early lead.
But less than ten minutes later, England equalized. Beth Mead sent a cross into the box for England and Ellen White, England’s leading goal-scorer this tournament, headed it past goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for England’s first goal of the night. The scoreline went to 1-1, but not for long.
In the 31st minute, Alex Morgan headed a pass from Lindsey Horan past Telford for the U.S.’s second goal of the night. Morgan mimicked a sip of tea at the end, a celebration that was seen around the world.
England would go on to have another goal from Ellen White called back due to offsides and a penalty kick taken by Steph Houghton in the 84th minute stopped by Naeher. The U.S. won 2-1 and will now face the Netherlands in the Women’s World Cup Final on Sunday.
The USMNT also got things started early against their opponents. Weston McKennie, the 20-year-old midfielder who plays for German-side Schalke 04, scored the opening goal in the ninth minute. After Reggie Cannon sent the ball into the box, McKennie came flying in and sent the ball past the Jamaican goalkeeper. 1-0 US.
Pulisic made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute when he finished a rebound of Jordan Morris’s shot. It was similar to the goal he scored in the 87th minute, a rebound off a shot from D.C. United midfielder Paul Arriola, that cemented the U.S. victory.
The USMNT will go on to play in the Gold Cup Final against Mexico on Sunday, July 7th. The USMNT game kicks off at 9:00 PM EDT on Fox Sports 1. The USWNT game kicks off earlier that same day, at 11:00 AM on FOX.
