Morgan scores 100th international goal as U.S. beat Australia
Apr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Tobin Heath (17) celebrates her goal with forward Megan Rapinoe (15) and forward Alex Morgan (13) in the second half during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) - Forward Alex Morgan reached a personal milestone with her 100th international goal as the United States beat Australia 5-3 in a friendly in Colorado on Thursday.
In opening the scoring in the 15th minute with a superb solo run capped by a precise finish, Morgan became the seventh American woman -- 17th from any country -- to reach the century mark.
It was far from smooth sailing for the reigning World Cup champions, who fell behind Australia early in the second half in front of a sellout crowd in suburban Denver.
Apr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Alex Morgan (13) reacts after her goal against Australia during a International Friendly Women's Soccer match against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The home team, however, scored three times in 14 minutes to regain the lead for good in an entertaining encounter between two of the favourites heading into World Cup in France in June.
Local favourite Mallory Pugh made it 4-2 by scoring less than a minute after coming on, before adding a second with a deft dink over the keeper in the final minute of stoppage time to seal the result.
Earlier, Australia equalised on the half hour when pacy veteran winger Lisa De Vanna fired home.
Apr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Alex Morgan (13) shoots and scores past Australia defender Alanna Kennedy (14) during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park . Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Caitlin Foord gave Australia the lead early in the second half, before Tobin Heath and Megan Rapinoe put the U.S. ahead again.
Samantha Kerr scored with a thumping header in the 82nd minute to give Australia some hope, but the visitors could not find an equaliser.
"We can't let that many goals in ... but they're a great attacking team so you've got to give them credit," said veteran Rapinoe after her 150th appearance for the U.S.
Apr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States fans hold a sign in support of forward Alex Morgan (13) (not pictured) before the International Friendly Women's Soccer match against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Americans continue their World Cup preparation with another friendly against Belgium in California on Sunday.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
Apr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Tobin Heath (17) celebrates her goal with forward Megan Rapinoe (15) and forward Alex Morgan (13) in the second half during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsApr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Tobin Heath (17) celebrates with defender Emily Sonnett (2) and forward Alex Morgan (13) in the second half during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsApr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Alex Morgan (13)(center) celebrates her goal with forward Megan Rapinoe (15) against Australia during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park . Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsApr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Tobin Heath (17) celebrates with defender Emily Sonnett (2) and forward Alex Morgan (13) in the second half during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsApr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Tobin Heath (17) celebrates her goal with forward Megan Rapinoe (15) and forward Alex Morgan (13) in the second half during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match against Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsApr 4, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; United States forward Alex Morgan (13)(center) celebrates her goal with forward Megan Rapinoe (15) and midfielder Lindsey Horan (9) against Australia during an International Friendly Women's Soccer match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park . Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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