The U.S. Women’s National Team commenced a new era under the leadership of head coach Vlatko Andonovski with a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Sweden in front of a buzzing crowd at MAPFRE Stadium. Carli Lloyd shone brightly, netting twice, while Christen Press marked her 50th career goal, kickstarting Andonovski's tenure on a positive note against the world's fifth-ranked team.
Similar to their performance in the summer's World Cup, the USWNT wasted no time asserting dominance, as Carli Lloyd capitalized on an early opportunity in the 6th minute. Lloyd's opening goal set the tone for an exhilarating encounter.
The match witnessed a moment of brilliance from Lloyd as she notched her second goal with a masterful chip over Sweden's goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, propelling the U.S. to a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime.
Andonovski's strategic substitutions injected new energy into the game, with Lynn Williams and Andi Sullivan making impactful appearances off the bench. However, the latter stages of the match saw a surprising turn of events as Sweden clawed back with two quick goals, testing the resilience of the U.S. defense.
Despite the late scare, the USWNT regained composure in the final minutes, with Casey Short's determined run earning a penalty kick opportunity. Although Carli Lloyd missed the chance for a hat-trick, her earlier goals combined with Press’ contribution secured a hard-fought victory for the USWNT.
Looking ahead, the USWNT concludes its 2019 schedule with a match against Costa Rica, aiming to carry forward the momentum gained from this electrifying performance.
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