U.S. women’s soccer tops South Africa in Olympic tune-up – NBC Olympics

The U.S. women’s soccer team faced off against South Africa in the team’s penultimate friendly before the 2016 Olympics. 

In a matchup of two teams heading to this summer’s Olympics, the U.S. beat South Africa 1-0 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. 

The U.S. almost scored within the first minute of the match. Christen Press took a pass from Meghan Klingenberg and had a one-one-one with South African goalkeeper Roxanne Barker, but she sent her shot wide of the goal. 

The U.S. created a few more scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes highlighted by an Alex Morgan shot that was saved by Barker. Following the save, Mallory Pugh corralled the rebound and had a shot at an open net, but her shot was blocked by a defender. 

On the other end of the field, South Africa sustained some possession in the U.S. half of the field, but were unable to test goalkeeper Hope Solo. 

In the 35th minute, the U.S. opened the scoring courtesy of Crystal Dunn. Pugh, who leads the U.S. in assists in 2016, started off the play by easily running past her defender and sending in a cross. The ball got through the South African defense and found Dunn at the back post who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Carli Lloyd entered the match at the start of the second half, replacing Lindsey Horan. It was her first appearance with the U.S. since April when she suffered a MCL sprain.

The U.S.’s first chance of the second half came in the 48th minute when Allie Long had her header saved off the line from defender Nothando Vilakazi. 

The U.S. remained in control throughout the second half, but could not add to their advantage before the final whistle. 

The U.S. outshot South Africa 20 to four, but only managed six of those shots on goal as the team struggled to convert their scoring chances. 

With the clean sheet, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo became the first player in history to earn 100 career shutouts. 

The U.S. has one more match before heading to Rio. The team will play Costa Rica on July 22 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.