U.S Women Dumps Off The Super Falcons Off The W/WC

U.S Women Dumps Off The Super Falcons — A narrow win in the a most anticipated encounter between the super falcons and the U.S Women ensured that the later advanced through the group of death.

After much consternation about the lack of U.S. goal scoring in this 2015 Women’s World Cup, it was Wambach who lept to greet a Megan Rapinoe corner kick cross and got enough air underneath to get her boot on the ball. It took a lot longer than Wambach would have liked — and not just because her goal came in the 45th minute to give the U.S. a 1-0 victory against Nigeria on Tuesday night.

It was the all-time leading scorer’s first goal of this Women’s World Cup, a long wait that created all kinds of angst and headaches for the Wambach. After the scoreless draw against Sweden in the second game of group play, the scoring dry spell was so worrisome that it prompted Wambach to question the role that the astroturf was playing in this tournament.

The Nigerians were as fast and furious as promised, and star striker Asisat Oshoala got at least one chance to show why she is one of the most dangerous players in the world. However, the U.S. controlled the pace of the game and that prompted the Nigerians to damage their own chances. They were yellow carded five times and, over the course of the match, saw their chances to score diminished. Sarah Nnodim earned a second yellow card and left the Lady Falcons with just 10 players on the field.

The 1-0 U.S. lead and the man-advantage allowed Ellis to bring on defensive stalwarts Shannon Boxx and Christie Rampone on for late-game action. For both World Cup veterans, this was their first action in this 2015 campaign — and showed the luxury of the deep U.S. bench.