U.S. blanks Nigeria in first-ever game at Q2 Stadium
Photo Credit: Scott W. Coleman
Austin has always been a soccer city, but Christen Press made it official on Wednesday night.
The U.S. Women’s team forward scored the first goal in Q2 Stadium history in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,500 fans as the four-time World Cup champions broke in the $240 million stadium with a 2-0 win over Nigeria.
“It was a dream playing here,” Press said. “It’s been so long since we’ve played in a packed stadium. We missed the fans so much. It was truly special to get a match on this beautiful pitch and play in front of all our fans.”
It took until stoppage time in the first half for Press to break through on an assist from Carli Lloyd. Lynn Williams added a second goal for the U.S. Women’s team after a fantastic through ball from Press in stoppage time in the second half.
Wednesday was the first time the U.S. had played in front of a full crowd since March 2020, when it was coming off a World Cup victory and preparing for the Olympics.
“It was electric,” Becky Sauerbrunn said. “It was so amazing. It’s been a long time since I haven’t been able to hear the people yelling five yards away. The stadium is beautiful and Austin definitely delivered.”
Austin FC hosts the San Jose Earthquakes in the first MLS game at Q2 Stadium on Saturday at 8 p.m. and follows that up by welcoming Columbus Crew SC to Q2 Stadium next Sunday night.
The warmup to the rescheduled Olympics in Tokyo began last week for the U.S. Women’s National Team with wins over Portugal and Jamaica in Houston.
They will play two games against Mexico on July 1 and July 5 before the Tokyo Olympic tournament begins against Sweden on July 21. The U.S. will also face off against New Zealand and Australia in group play at the Olympics.
Between now the beginning of July, U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski will narrow the roster from its current 23 players to the final 18 that will head to the Olympics.
“The confidence level going to the Olympic games is higher than it was before,” Andonovski said. “I feel very good about where we’re at and where the players are at. In terms of making a final decision, I feel pretty good. We have a good knowledge of the players.”
Despite holding nearly 70% of possession in the first half, the United States had a tough time breaking through. Nigeria had a couple of chances late in the first half when a shot went just over the bar, and a free kick from just outside the box dribbled into the hands of U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher.
Lloyd took one touch to get past a Nigerian defender two minutes into first-half stoppage time, and Press finished with a left-footed shot to the far post.
Late in the second half, with Nigeria pushing forward for an equalizer, Press chipped a perfect ball over the top to Williams, who ran around the Nigeria keeper and passed the ball into the back of the net.
“In terms of atmosphere and crowd, it was brilliant,” Andonovski said. “It was nice to have after 15 months (without full stadiums). It was a good reminder of how much the fans love soccer and how much they love the U.S. Women’s National Team.”
It’s hard for Press to compare the growth of the U.S. team since the last World Cup as they prepare for another major tournament with high expectations.
The last 15 months have not only seen massive changes for the U.S. Soccer roster, but the world as a whole as the light at the end of the tunnel of the COVID-19 pandemic draws ever closer.
It’s put a different perspective on what the Olympics mean.
“We were extremely grateful to be able to play, and play safely and see fans here in Austin,” Press said. “I think this is a tournament where we will be trying to safely reunite as a global community and give the world something to celebrate after a hard year.”
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Originally published at https://www.hillcountrynews.com/stories/us-blanks-nigeria-in-first-ever-game-at-q2-stadium,87416?