U.S. women’s national team midfielder Morgan Brian surveyed the crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium and let the chants sink in Sunday afternoon at kickoff of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship final.
“USA! USA! USA!” chanted the intimate but raucous crowd of 9,363 at the kickoff of the U.S. women’s national team’s eventual 2-0 victory over Canada.
Brian, who plays for the hometown Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League, turned to fellow U.S. women’s national midfielder Lindsey Horan with a sense of pride.
“When we first started the kickoff, Lindsey and I looked at each and we were like, ‘This is the moments we live for,'” said Brian, who garnered the Golden Ball Trophy as the tournament’s best player. “They were chanting ‘USA!’ from the beginning and it really helps us when we have crowds like that, that are really into the game. We can feel the energy.”
Although CONCACAF priced tickets high – $34.50 for the cheapest seat – the crowd was energetic from the first whistle through the final whistle and then long after the U.S. national team was presented their gold medals.
Thousands of young girls showed up dressed in Carli Lloyd jerseys, U.S. national team jerseys, Dash jerseys or their club soccer team sweatshirts. They were accompanied by their mothers, fathers and brothers.
The four-time Olympic gold medalists and three-time Women’s World Cup championship didn’t disappoint.
Although Canada attempted to interrupt the Americans’ creative attack with brutal tackles and defensive tactics, they were outclassed by the U.S. all night.
The 2015 Women’s World Cup champions rewarded the local fans with the type of performance that will help further soccer’s growth in the Bayou City.
Moreover, the pro-U.S. crowd showered the defending Olympic and Women’s World Cup champs with plenty of love.
“It’s wonderful,” said left back Meghan Klingenberg, who played for the Dash the last two seasons before being traded this winter. “What a crowd tonight. I know that Houston fans are amazing and they showed up big for us.
“They were loud. They were huge supporters. It was like having an extra man out there. I’m very thankful that they showed up and it’s a great way to end my career here.”
Klingenberg wowed the crowd in the 13th minute with a beautiful cross that was headed wide by Lloyd, the star of the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Nine minutes later, Klingenberg broke free again down the left wing. She delivered a perfect cross to Lloyd at the far post, but Lloyd headed it wide of the net.
Although the U.S. controlled possession in the first half, it was scoreless at halftime before the U.S. finally found the back of the net early in the second half. Co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn delivered a masterful cross into the box in the 53rd minute to set up the winning goal. Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe exploded off her line in hopes of catching the ball, but Horan headed it over her and into the box to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
U.S. teenager Mallory Pugh, 17, set up the second goal with a cheeky nutmeg to blow past a Canadian defender after Klingenberg was taken down while trying to set up a wall pass. Pugh then raced down the wing before passing the ball back to Tobin Heath, who fired a left-footed rocket from the right corner of the box to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead in the 61st minute.
Canada countered in the 71st minute when Melissa Tancredi sent a menacing header to the near post, where goalkeeper Hope Solo punched the ball wide for her first save of the afternoon.
Pugh almost had another assist in the 88th minute, but Dash defender Allysha Chapman made a kick save in front of the goal to deny Heath her second goal.
Most of the crowd remained in the stands to watch the gold medal presentation, which served as another opportunity for U.S. coach Jill Ellis to engage some of the local female soccer players.
“That’s such a big part of our fan base,” Ellis said. “As I was walking up to get the medal, even the young ladies that were holding up the medal, I said, ‘Are you guys players?’ And they were like nodding yeah. I think it’s fantastic.
“It’s fantastic for the community to see this up close and personal. And our fans have been tremendous always, but I think for the young women to come see these girls and see our team play up close I think it’s special.”
