The United States Women’s National Soccer Team honored former legends in their pair of World Cup group stage rematch games against Portugal on Thursday and Sunday.
Portugal won the first match 2-1 in Chester, Pa., highlighting the USWNT’s weak corner defense. Portugal only had four shots on goal, and the two that went in were off of corner kicks.
Rose Lavelle scored the U.S. team’s lone goal in the first 33 seconds, one of the fastest goals in team history.
This was the team’s first loss in Subaru Park, and the team’s third loss on the year.
Former USWNT forward and legend Alex Morgan was honored before the game in the stadium where she scored the first of her 123 career goals.
In the second game, the USWNT came back in East Hartford, Conn., winning 3-1 as Olivia Moultrie got a brace and Sam Coffey added a goal. The game featured a young lineup and a more energetic showing than on Thursday.
The team’s first goal by Moultrie was another first-minute goal. Portugal shortly came back with another goal, in what was their only shot on goal of the day.
The USWNT was hungry to gain their lead back, and Moultrie scored another goal. The first three goals of the game were scored within the first 10 minutes. Coffey added a goal in the 82nd minute to ensure the win.
Legendary goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was honored before the game in her home state.
The team faces New Zealand in Kansas City in their first ever match in CPKC stadium tonight at 8 p.m. The game will be shown on TNT and TruTV.
