Chile proves stiffer test, but USWNT still cruise at World Cup

The U.S. Women’s National Team beat Chile 3-0 in their second group stage game on Sunday, to advance to the knockout round of the 2019 World Cup.

Despite a much lower scoreline, the U.S. dominated this game as well, even though they had made a number of lineup changes, seven specifically, to the team that beat Thailand in their first game.

Tierna Davidson became the youngest American in 24 years to start a World Cup game, and Mallory Pugh received her first World Cup start as well.

The first goal was scored by Carli Lloyd, a sweet left footed volley that Lloyd hit across her body and into the bottom corner, arriving to the ball just before Julie Ertz (more on her later).

Lloyd’s goal was also a record breaker, as she became the first woman to ever score in a 6 straight World Cup games.

Lloyd followed her initial celebration by running over to the bench and giving the substitutes a golf clap, a cheeky shot at all the controversy that the team has generated for some of their celebrations against Thailand in the first game.

In the 25th minute, Julie Ertz made it 2-0. The U.S. had won a corner, and Davidson hit a sweet ball near post, and Ertz hit a bullet header that Chile goalkeeper Christiane Endler got a hand to but could not keep out.

This was Ertz’s first ever World Cup goal, and well deserved as she hit a tremendous header to knock it in.

Carli Lloyd followed up with her second goal of the day, this one also a header from a corner kick to make it 3-0 U.S.

The US went into halftime just like against Thailand, up 3-0. Unlike Thailand though, that would be the end of the scoring.

The US probably should have won this game 5- or 6-0, but they were denied by some phenomenal saves in the second half by Endler. Christen Press in particular was robbed three or four times in that second half.

The US also hit the woodwork a few times for good measure, Carli Lloyd hit the crossbar on a looping header, and Jessica McDonald on a sweet strike off the post.

With the lineup changes and the subs in the second half, every U.S. outfield player has now played during this World Cup. We should expect to see most if not all of the starters back against Sweden though.

That game against Sweden is on Thursday, and it will decide the group winner, the U.S. taking that with either a win or a draw.

This U.S. team has not put a foot wrong so far, and looks to keep that going against Sweden on Thursday at 12 pm PT.

What do you think? Leave a comment below!