As many U.S. matches are, this figured to be more spectacle than trial.
But as a picture-perfect sunset glowed over Audi Field, the top-ranked United States found itself in a second-half deadlock with No. 46 Nigeria. Then age-defying Megan Rapinoe entered, Rose Lavelle contorted, and all was well again for the Americans, who earned a 2-1 victory before an announced crowd of 18,869.
“At certain times, we didn’t know which way it’s going to go,” U.S. Coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “But I’m very proud of the team and how they handled it because I do know there will be a moment like this when it matters. The fact they figured out a way to win is very good, but we did learn a big lesson.”
After failing to capitalize on numerous first-half chances and conceding the tying goal shortly after intermission, the Americans retook the lead in the 66th minute.
A moment after taking the field, the 37-year-old Rapinoe delicately chipped a cross from the end line. The ball was behind Lavelle, who needed to step back and bend her upper body to head it.
“I had to do a little bit of a twisty,” Lavelle said.
The ball pinged off the right post and trickled across the line, relieving pressure that had been building since the Super Falcons tied the friendly in the 50th minute.
Lavelle celebrated her 22nd career goal by leaping into Rapinoe’s arms.
“I still don’t know how Rose managed to get her head on the ball,” Andonovski said. “Absolutely incredible.”
The Americans extended their home unbeaten streak to 71 matches (64-0-7). They’ve won 13 straight overall by a 52-2 margin and are unbeaten in 21 in a row. Their shutout streak, however, ended at nine games.
Nigeria — which, like the United States, will compete in the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand — was in retreat most of the first half. It did have moments of prosperity but could not sustain pressure.
The Americans created waves of early chances but were inefficient in the penalty area.
“The only thing we were missing in the first half,” Andonovski said, “was the execution.”
With some help, the breakthrough came in the 24th minute. The sequence was almost identical to a threat a moment earlier, when Mallory Pugh crossed to Lindsey Horan for a serious threat from close range.
Capping another patient exercise, Pugh targeted Horan with a low cross. This time, in an effort to prevent Horan’s reception, defender Blessing Demehin stabbed at the ball at the edge of the six-yard box, only to send it skidding between goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s legs for an own goal.
Immediately after the break, the Super Falcons were causing trouble. The Americans failed to reverse course, and the visitors scored a deserved equalizer.
“We’d fought hard and the [U.S.] goal was an own goal, so we felt like it was a 0-0 game,” Nigerian Coach Randy Waldrum said. “We were right in it and felt we could get it back.”
Glory Ogbonna delivered a long diagonal ball. U.S. right back Sofia Huerta missed a header, allowing substitute Uchenna Kanu to make an angled run and expertly drive an eight-yard shot past goalkeeper Casey Murphy and into the upper far corner.
This was not the way Andonovski had planned it. The game needed a jolt, and Rapinoe and Lavelle brought it.
“If I am only going to play 30 minutes, I want to be impactful,” Rapinoe joked. On a serious note, she said, “I love being in and around the box and being in those kinds of creative playmaking moments.”
Lavelle noted the benefits of playing in a close…
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