USWNT Draws with Netherlands 1-1 in 2019 Final Rematch
Early on, the United States threatened with multiple opportunities on goal including a close miss by midfielder Savannah DeMelo that was set up by a smooth touch by forward Sophia Smith. Smith, who opened up her World Cup campaign with two goals and an assist against Vietnam, had a bit more of a quieter game Thursday but still had her own key chances.
By Austin Gage
Contributing Sports Writer
Lindsey Horan’s 62nd minute equalizer is able to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw for the USWNT in a rematch against 2019 FWWC opponent Netherlands.
In a rematch of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, the United States and the Netherlands settled for a 1-1 tie Thursday (Wednesday night on the West Coast). Played in New Zealand’s Wellington Regional Stadium, over 27,000 spectators were present for the second group stage game for each nation.
Coming off a sluggish 3-0 win vs Vietnam, the United States, the winners of the last two World Cups, hoped to reinforce to the world their position as the team to beat at the tournament. The Dutch side also won their opening group stage match, a 1-0 win over Portugal.
The Group E showdown featured FIFA’s number one ranked team (United States) versus the ninth ranked team in the world (the Netherlands). In a clash between two titans, the match sure lived up to the hype gathered beforehand.
Early on, the United States threatened with multiple opportunities on goal including a close miss by midfielder Savannah DeMelo that was set up by a smooth touch by forward Sophia Smith. Smith, who opened up her World Cup campaign with two goals and an assist against Vietnam, had a bit more of a quieter game Thursday but still had her own key chances.
All American momentum and pressure presented in the early minutes of the match were erased in the 17th minute as Dutch midfielder Jill Roord slotted a goal in off a deflection in the American box. A slip by American defender Crystal Dunn allowed for the opportunity to brew and led to the opening goal. For the United States, this was the first time they had been trailing in their last 18 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
United States’ forward Trinity Rodman tried to immediately answer the Dutch opener in the 18th minute, but her curling shot was deflected out of play by Dutch keeper Daphne van Domselaar. The rest of the first half saw a dominant possession clinic by the Netherlands’ side as they controlled the pace of play through the midfield.
Paired with an aggressive style of play and not being afraid of the moment, the Netherlands took a 1-0 lead into halftime despite the United States holding a 9-2 shot advantage in the first 45 minutes.
The second half, however, was the complete opposite story. The Americans, led by halftime substitution of midfielder Rose Lavelle, played under a new energy and seemed determined to rescue a game that they believed they should have dominated.
The key point of the second half turnaround came in the 59th minute as Dutch midfielder Danielle van de Donk committed a rough foul on American midfielder Lindsey Horan. After a few minutes of being medically treated on the pitch, Horan rose and shared some words with van de Donk and led to the two being separated by the referee.
In a moment of great satisfaction for Horan and the Americans just three minutes after the rough foul, Horan scored a beautiful near-post header off a Lavelle corner kick to tie the match at 1. The foul on Horan ignited the Americans and they played like a much different team from the sluggish one seen in the first half.
The Dutch learned a quick lesson: don’t mess with Lindsey Horan.
Just five minutes after Horan’s equalizer, it looked like the United States had taken the lead off of forward Alex Morgan’s boot but the goal was quickly taken away due to Morgan being offside. Still, the United States was in control and felt that the momentum was in their favor for the rest of the match.
Despite the found momentum after the tying goal, the Americans just could not find the net again for the go-ahead score. In the last 20 minutes of gametime, Smith found herself with three great chances to take the lead but just could not capitalize. The greatest chance was offered in the 83rd minute as her left-footed laser seemed destined for the back of the net until it was miraculously cleared by Dutch forward Lieke Martens.
Although much better play was present from the United States in the second half, they had to settle for a 1-1 tie. Because of the result, each nation has to wait until their third game each to determine if they will clinch a berth in the Round of 16 knockout rounds. The United States held an overall 17-4 shot advantage over the Netherlands but just struggled to finish.
Up next for the Americans is their group stage finale against Portugal on August 1st. With a win or a draw and the same or better result than the Netherlands (who also plays Vietnam on the 1st), the Americans will find themselves in the knockout rounds.
