Dunn’s blast powers USA past England

LOS ANGELES: Crystal Dunn and the reigning World Cup champion USA got off to a flying start with a win in their opening game of the inaugural SheBelieves Cup tournament on Thursday.

Dunn’s goal in the 72nd minute was all the US national women’s team would need in a 1- 0 victory over world number five England at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Dunn took a short pass from teammate Meghan Klingenberg and spun away from a defender before hammering a right footed shot into the upper corner of the net. Her goal came less than 10 minutes after she entered the game as a substitute.

The new women’s international soccer event kicked off Thursday as four of the top five ranked teams in the world - USA, England, France and Germany - compete for the tournament title on US soil.

The six- match competition features many of the world’s top players and includes three teams that made the final four of last year’s Women’s World Cup.

In the other game Thursday, Germany scored a late second half goal to defeat France 1- 0.

Right back Leonie Maier pounced on a loose ball and scored in the 83rd minute after France failed to clear a corner kick from the right side. It was the sixth goal of Maier’s international career.

Thursday’s matches were the first of three doubleheaders. The Americans square of f against France and Germany faces England in round two on Sunday.

The tournament concludes Wednesday with the USA meeting Germany and England battling France. — AFP