CARSON, Calif. – The United States advanced to the semifinals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Friday with a 1-0 victory over China at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa.
Making her 200th appearance for the USWNT, U.S. captain Carli Lloyd scored the game’s only goal in the 51st minute of play as the Americans dispatched the Chinese in the rematch of the epic 1999 Women’s World Cup final. By holding China scoreless, the USWNT extended their shutout streak to 423 minutes.
The Americans remain the only team to qualify for the semifinals in each of the seven Women’s World Cup tournaments. U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo also made history by notching her 134th career victory for the USWNT to become the team’s winningest goalkeeper ever.
The Americans dominated the first half, and nearly took the lead in the 2nd minute when Amy Rodriguez saw her shot from close range go painfully wide. In the 26th minute, the USWNT came close yet again as Julie Johnston saw her header narrowly miss the net.
The USWNT finally got their goal in the 51st minute when a Johnston cross found the head of Lloyd who nodded it past Chinese goalkeeper Wang Fei. Lloyd’s finish was her second goal of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
After taking the lead, the Americans continued to dictate the play. The U.S. nearly added to their lead at the death when Christen Press found space in the penalty area but saw her curling shot go wide of China’s net.
The USWNT will face fellow two-time Women’s World Cup champions Germany in the semifinal round match at Olympic Stadium in Montreal on June 30. Germany defeated tournament favorite France in a thrilling 5-4 penalty kick shootout victory after the match ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.