US claims SheBelieves Cup
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. women’s national team beat England 1-0 on Wednesday night to win the SheBelieves Cup tournament. In the earlier game at Orlando City Stadium, sixth-ranked France topped No. 2 Germany 3-0.
The United States finished atop the table at 2-01 while England was second at 1-1-1, ahead of defending champion France (1-1-1) on goal differential. Germany finished last at 0-2-1.
The top-ranked U.S. team beat third-ranked England on an own goal that came off of a cross from Megan Rapinoe in the 60th minute.
Before the match at Orlando City Stadium, there was a moving moment of silence for the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. The team invited the family of victim Alyssa Alhadeff, as well as her club and school teams. The guests all received special jerseys with Alhadeff’s name and number on them.
Carli Lloyd started the game for her 250th appearance for the national team, moving her up to sixth on the career list.
The Americans were without several key players for the three-city tournament, including veteran defender Becky Sauerbrunn, who is recovering from a foot injury, and midfielder Tobin Heath, who had ankle surgery. Defender Julie Ertz was rested for the final match by coach Jill Ellis. All three were on the 2015 World Cup-winning team.
The United States played to a 1-1 draw with sixthranked France at Red Bull Stadium on Sunday after a 1-0 victory over No. 2 Germany in the tournament opener in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday.
England won its opener over France 4-1 before playing to a 2-2 draw with Germany. U.S. England is coached by former Manchester United defender Phil Neville after the dismissal of coach Mark Sampson last year.
All four teams are preparing for next year’s World Cup in France. France already qualified for the tournament as hosts, while the defending champion United States will attempt to qualify this fall.