The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Scotland not outclassed by world champions USA in narrow defeat
Alex Morgan’s first-half goal proved decisive as the USA overcame a spirited Scotland in Paisley last night.
Morgan gave the US the lead with a well-taken volley on 39 minutes and they missed a secondhalf penalty through Carli Lloyd, as Scotland acquitted themselves well against the world number one team.
Shelley Kerr’s side had the daunting task of facing an unbeaten United States outfit, who recorded the 500th win in their history against Portugal last week.
The world champions is arguably the toughest test Kerr could have asked for, heading into their first World Cup in France next year.
Phil Neville – head coach of the England women’s team – was in attendance at St Mirren Park and saw Scotland, who were without Kim Little due to a fractured fibula, get off to a promising start.
Claire Emslie saw her touch from Caroline Weir’s free-kick cleared away from goal by Morgan. Weir’s delivery from the resulting corner was equally impressive but this time Jane Ross could only send her near-post header behind.
It took 15 minutes for the US to threaten when Morgan found space on the counter attack.
However, she spurned the opportunity to shoot for goal and instead tried to pick out Mallory Pugh, with her effort floating harmlessly wide.
As the half wore on Scotland were gradually pinned further back, with Pugh and Morgan in the wide areas providing great outlets for Jill Ellis’ team.
The hosts’ greatest threat came from set-pieces and Erin Cuthbert nearly give Scotland the lead in bizarre fashion, with her corner poorly hit but making its way all the way across goal, with Morgan again intervening to prevent a goal.
Morgan finally made a tangible impact at her preferred end six minutes before the break, as she was afforded far too much space in the penalty area to meet Pugh’s right-wing cross, meeting it with a crisp right-foot volley to beat Lee Alexander.
Shannon Lynn replaced Alexander in the Scotland goal at half-time and was called into action eight minutes in to make a smart save.
Pugh fed Carli Lloyd and her backheel broke to Julie Ertz on the edge of the box, with her strike taking a deflection on the way to goal that Lynn did well to beat away.
Ross planted a header straight at Ashlyn Harris for the home side and they were cursing their luck on 62 minutes when referee Amy Fearn gave the visitors a penalty, for Kirsty Brown clipping Pugh.
Scotland were handed a lifeline with Lloyd smacking the crossbar from the spot.
Lana Clelland’s introduction sparked a late surge for Scotland, with the replacement striker linking well with pocket dynamo Cuthbert and being denied an equaliser with nine minutes to go by a sharp Harris stop.