It was easy riding for Hope Solo and the United States Women’s National team at the Alamodome.
The USWNT breezed past Trinidad & Tobago 6-0 in a match where Hope saw just one shot on goal and saved it to keep a clean sheet. The American women are now 6-0-1 on their cross-country World Cup Victory Tour.
Hope and Co. were playing without one of their anchors in the midfield, Megan Rapinoe, after USWNT and Seattle Reign star tore her ACL while training with the team last week in Hawaii.
But in typical Pinoe form, she released a positive, lighthearted statement about her injury.
“I want to thank my teammates and the staff for the amazing support I’ve received so far. I know I’ll be in the best of hands moving forward and I’ll be doing everything I can to get healthy as soon as possible. This is obviously a very difficult time, but I do feel super confident in my recovery as I’ve gone through this before and I know what the process will be like,” Rapinoe released in a statement through the national team. “I want everyone to know that I’ll be fine, and that I’m currently accepting my recommendations for TV shows to binge watch and great restaurants that deliver in Seattle. I’m also going to get really good at FIFA 16.”
Hope also took to Twitter to talk about her good friend and teammate and wish her a swift and successful recovery. The two play together not only on the international scene, but also in the National Women’s Soccer League for Reign FC.
Wishing my friend a smooth and quick recovery. There’s no one like you, @mPinoe! We miss you already! pic.twitter.com/VdxMPUGvgF
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) December 8, 2015
Without Rapinoe, the U.S. offense wasn’t quite at full form in the early going. Trinidad & Tobago executed well on defense, and opposing goalkeeper Kimika Forbes had several nice saves early, part of a total of 11 on the evening.
Carli Lloyd was the only American to break through in the first half. Forbes and Alex Morgan collided in the air roughly 20 minutes into the match, and the USWNT was awarded a penalty kick. Lloyd stepped to the penalty spot and deftly drilled what proved to be the game-winner into the upper right corner.
After the break, the American side made some adjustments, and with them came a barrage of goals. Hope and the Department of Defense took care of business on the back end, allowing the USWNT attack free reign on the other end of the pitch.
Morgan slotted home a well-weighted pass by Lindsey Horan for the team’s second goal 52 minutes in. And 10 minutes later, Christen Press made her run. The 26-year-old Stanford product went in for a back-to-back-to-back hat trick, finding the net in the 62nd, 75th and 84th minutes.
Press’s first goal came on an assist by Lloyd, and Ali Krieger set up the second. The Stars and Stripes did an amazing job, working the ball into a tight space on the right flank of the opposition’s box. Krieger then found Press among the muck, and Press sent a hard shot through the keeper’s legs and in.
Horan, earning her second straight start, registered the assist on the third Press goal before finding the net herself during stoppage time. The 21-year-old knocked home her first international goal off a dime by 22-year-old Stephanie McCaffrey, making it a six-nil victory for the U.S.
NEXT UP
The Americans play China in the last two games of their Victory Tour. The USWNT starts with China on Sunday, Dec. 13, in Glendale, Arizona. The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN2.
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