Tournament of Nations: Round One

The 2018 Tournament of Nations is officially underway – and off to a great start for URFC members Becky Sauerbrunn, Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez, and Katrina Gorry. With USA and Australia each bagging big wins in the first round of play, the Utah side is being well-represented at this prestigious contest.

First Round Results
USA (1st) vs. JAPAN (6th)
The United States beat their World Cup rival 4-2 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, with NWSL FW Alex Morgan notching her fourth-career hat trick. The high scoring game was played in front of a sell-out crowd of 18,467, with Morgan scoring in the 18th, 26th, and 56th minute. Other goals in the high-scoring match included Mina Tanaka for Japan in the first-half, followed by Megan Rapinoe (USA) and Moeno Sakaguchi (Japan) in the second.
The U.S. now remains unbeaten in their last 17 matches, outscoring their opponents 53-17 in that stretch. URFC FW Christen Press registered the start, making her 101st appearance for the squad. She bagged 54 minutes before being subbed-out early in the second-half. Her play in the attack produced some dangerous opportunities on top of the box, working closely with Morgan and Rapinoe up top.  DF Becky Sauerbrunn and FW Amy Rodriguez were also in the eighteen, but did not see field time.

AUSTRALIA (8th) vs. BRAZIL (7th)

A solid performance from the Westfiled Matildas led to a 3-1 victory against Brazil for the tournament’s opening match at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Both of Australia’s first-half goals came off of corner kicks in the 9th and 38th minute, with a Brazilian own-goal and Tameka Butt header finding the back of the net, respectively. NWSL star Debinha combined with Marta late in the second-half to score Brazil’s only goal of the match.
Chicago Red Star goal-scorer Sam Kerr put the game away with a beautiful finish that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the second-half, resulting in the final 3-1 score line in favor of the Aussie side.

Utah Royals FC MF Katrina Gorry also got some minutes in the match, subbing in at the 58th minute. Gorry greatly contributed to her team’s hold of possession, opening up space in the midfield with diving runs and stellar passes.

Up Next
After the doubleheader in Kansas City, the tournament now moves to East Hartford Conn., for a pair of matches at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Japan will face Brazil on Sunday, July 29 (2:15 p.m. MT), followed by USA and Australia match-up (5:00 p.m. MT on FS1).

2018 Tournament of Nations Standings