The 2018 Tournament of Nations is drawing to a close as both team USA and Australia inch closer to clenching the title. With two games played, URFC members Becky Sauerbrunn (USA), Christen Press (USA), Amy Rodriguez (USA), and Katrina Gorry (Australia) have represented URFC well in this elite contest.
Second Round Results
USA (1st) vs. AUSTRALIA (8th)
The second-round thriller between the United States and Australia ended in a 1-1 draw after a late goal by MF Lindsey Horan equalized in the 90th minute. The Westfield Matildas got up early after DF Chloe Logarzo found the back of the net in the first-half – and continued to lead for a majority of the match. URFC center back Becky Sauerbrunn started the match for the Stars and Stripes, playing the full 90 minutes – while Utah teammates Christen Press and Katrina Gorry also subbed into the game in the second-half.
Who Can Still Win
Brazil: Despite sitting third in the standings, Brazil still has a chance to take the tournament title with a win against the USA - but for that outcome to remain possible, Japan must keep Australia from taking three points in the opener of Thursday's doubleheader. If Australia defeats Japan to avenge its loss in this rematch of the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Final, Brazil will be eliminated. If Australia draws or loses in the first match of the day, then Brazil can crown itself champion for the first time with a win against the USA.
Australia: The Aussies can repeat as Tournament of Nations champion with a win against Japan and a U.S. loss or tie with Brazil. If both Australia and the USA win, then the Aussies will need to achieve a margin of victory greater than the Americans to claim the edge in goal difference or remain tied on goal difference but surpass the Americans in goals scored. If both teams win by the same margin, but Australia scores one more goal than the USA, the U.S. and Australia would be tied on points, goal differential, goals scored, and head-to-head, meaning the next tiebreaker would be the FIFA ranking, which the USA would win due to its No. 1 ranking.
USA: If both the USA and Australia win, that will give both teams seven points; therefore, to finish first, the USA will need to compile a superior goal difference, or if tied in that first tiebreaker, maintain its edge in total goals scored. The USA can win the tournament with a tie, but only if Australia and Japan tie (and the USA maintains its edge in goals scored), or if Australia loses to Japan.
Up Next
The women will now head to Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, for the final show-down on August 2. Australia will face Japan at 3:45 p.m. MT (streamed on ussoccer.com), followed by USA and Brazil at 6:30 p.m. MT (FS1).
2018 Tournament of Nations Current Standings
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>GP</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>L </strong> |
<strong>T</strong> |
<strong>GF</strong> |
<strong>GA</strong> |
<strong>GD</strong> |
<strong>Pts.</strong> |
<p>United States</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>5</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>+2</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>Australia</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>+2</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>Japan</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>-3</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>Brazil</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>-1</p> |
<p>3</p> |
Following Thursday’s match-ups, the international players will return to the NWSL in preparation for the upcoming URFC duel against the Houston Dash on Sunday, August 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT at BBVA Compass Stadium.
