Portugal pulled off a shocking comeback to beat the United States women 2-1 in a friendly in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Thursday night to beat the Americans for the first time in 12 matches.
Although missing a few key stars — like injured striker Trinity Rodman — this was a mostly full-strength squad for Emma Hayes and the Americans, who lost their first game since a friendly defeat to Brazil in April.
It was the first game for Hayes and the U.S. in 113 days since a win over Canada at the beginning of July.
U.S. Soccer honored the career of retired star Alex Morgan ahead of the game at the same stadium where Morgan scored the first of her 123 international goals, which ranks fifth in program history. She scored her first goal in the same stadium in 2010.
Hayes’ team got off to a good start as Rose Lavelle scored in the opening minute and almost doubled the lead shortly after. But despite the early goal, Portugal, which hadn’t won a game in its past eight outings, settled in and gave the U.S. a good run for the remainder of the first half.
Portugal players celebrate after scoring a goal against the United States in a friendly.
Portugal got a deserved equalizer just before halftime from a corner kick when Diana Gomes was left unmarked at the back post and headed it past U.S. keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for the first goal the Portuguese had ever scored against the USWNT.
The USWNT came out more aggressively in the second half in search of the go-ahead, but it was Portugal’s Fátima Pinto that scored instead, with her deflected shot beating Tullis-Joyce to give the visitors a surprise lead.
Portugal held on for the win to hand Hayes just the third defeat during her tenure as U.S. coach.
The U.S. plays Portugal again Sunday and finishes its international window with a friendly against New Zealand on Oct. 29.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this recap.
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