U.S. frustrates England again at a World Cup in 0-0 draw
USA’s Megan Rapinoe holds the ball for a corner during the match against England at the World Cup in Brazil on June 24, 2018. (Photo taken at a press conference)
By Ben Feingold/Reuters
June 24, 2018 – 5:49 am
The 2018 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France was dominated by the U.S. players.
The Americans, in particular, had the ball at their feet and they didn’t let it go. They scored two goals in the second half, including one that came in a corner kick and one in a penalty kick. Their record was 0-0.
England’s players, on the other hand, had one goal, which came in a penalty kick and one strike, but the goal came in a 1-0 loss and the result led to another round of criticism and anger from the USA.
“I think we played very well. We stuck to a disciplined game plan,” U.S. coach Jill Ellis said after the match. “Just got to keep working on our execution and we have to continue to do that. And we have to be better in one-on-one situations that we have in midfield and other areas.”
The U.S. squad for next year’s tournament will be the same as the one that won a second straight FIFA World Cup in 2015. The U.S. World Cup team features the likes of Ashley Young, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan, but they have since been joined by new faces like Julie Ertz and Christen Press.
Ellis said she has been pleased with where her U.S. team has been through the World Cup.
“The reality is we don’t have a huge amount of time to prepare for next year. We have two games that are in France and we have to move quickly,” Ellis said.