CHAMPS ARE IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
A SELL-OUT 20,535 crowd had their patience severely tested this week but were eventually rewarded by witnessing world champions USA trounce Costa
Rica 7-2. Just 15 minutes after kick-off in Chattanooga, with USA leading 2-0 through Carli Lloyd and Heather O’Reilly, the heavens opened and an 84-minute delay ensued before it was deemed safe for the match to restart.
After the delay, Lloyd and O’Reilly both scored again, while 35-year-old AbbyWambach got in on the act before Katherine Alvarado put through her own net.
Costa Rica bagged their firstever goal against the USA through Cristin Granados just before half-time before Karla Villalobos doubled their tally on 69 minutes.
But Alex Morgan had the final say, marking her return to action after minor surgery with the evening’s ninth goal.
Closer to home, Scotland have confirmed they will play
Norway at Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium on September 17.
Scotland begin European Championship qualification later this year and manager Anna Signeul said:“This is a very exciting fixture to round off our Euro preparations.
“This match will provide a tough test for us ahead of the opening qualifier and is an exciting prospect for Scotland supporters as we embark on a new campaign.”
Scotland, England and Wales will compete in the 16-team Homeless World Cup in Amsterdam next month.
Teams are split into two groups with the competition running from September 12-19 at a purpose-built street football stadium in front of the Rijksmuseum.
England’s most capped player Fara Williams, who was herself homeless when she began playing the game, is the national ambassador for the Homeless FA.
She said: “To have the opportunity to help these girls is something that I didn’t want to turn down. I wanted to share my story with them and show them that there is a pathway to get out of the situation they’re in.”