The U.S. Women’s National Team grabbed a 1-0 victory courtesy of a 54th minute goal by Abby Wambach in the opening game of group play at the CONCACAF Championship at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.
The United States controlled the possession throughout the match and held a 29 to seven advantage in shots, but Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Kimika Forbes kept the game close throughout with eight saves in the match.
READ:USWNT stymied by Trinidad & Tobago as World Cup quest begins with narrow win
The breakthrough for the United States came early in the first half when Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan, who started and played all 90 minutes in the match, dribbled around Forbes before sending a cross from the end line into the box for Wambach to head home near the edge of the goal box.
With the win, the U.S. WNT is now 8-0-0 all-time against Trinidad & Tobago and 4-0-0 in World Cup qualifying. Wednesday’s game was the United States closest margin of victory between the two sides.
On Friday, the United States takes on Guatemala in its second group match of the tournament at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific) and the match will be televised on FOX Sports 1.
Christine Sinclair and Canadian Women’s National Team is gearing up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well and has begun training in preparation for a pair of friendlies against Japan later this month. The reigning Women’s World Cup champions, Japan, visit Canada for two games on Oct. 25 and Oct. 28.
On the other side of the world, Rachel Van Hollebeke made her debut in Japan over the weekend. Van Hollebeke played 70 minutes for Iga FC in 1 -0 loss against AS Elfen Saitmama.
A rematch of the 2014 W-League Grand Final is on the schedule this week. Teammates in Portland, Steph Catley and Nadine Angerer, face off as the Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar meet this weekend in Brisbane.
The Victory picked up a 4-0 win against Adelaide United last weekend. Catley played all 90 minutes, helping her team pick up the shutout and moved to third in W-League standings.
Angerer started in goal for Brisbane in a 2-1 loss against Western Sydney Wanderers.
In Germany, Amber Brooks helped guide Bayern Munich to a 1-0 win against Turbine Potsdam. Brooks started and played all 90 minutes as third-place Bayern jumped second-place Potsdam in the table. Bayern sits just two points behind defending league and European champions VfL Wolfsburg heading into its game this weekend against SC Sand on Saturday. Click here to watch a live stream of the match this weekend.
Check out Brooks’ thoughts on the big victory:
