NWSL players and fans are still waiting on the 2023 schedule
The NWSL season begins March 25.
Read more
The U.S. women’s national team needed a jolt of energy after conceding their first goal in the run of play in 2022, with Nigeria equalizing in the 50th minute of the teams’ friendly in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.
Enter Megan Rapinoe.
The 37-year-old checked into the game at the 65th minute, with the USWNT in need of a goal to break the 1-1 scoreline.
One minute later, and with only a handful of touches on the ball, Rapinoe sent a curled ball to Rose Lavelle waiting at the back post. Lavelle then nodded in a game-sealing header, catching the Nigeria keeper off balance to put the USWNT up 2-1.
73 SECONDS.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) September 6, 2022
That's all it took for @mPinoe to find @roselavelle to give us the lead! #USAvNGA x @Allstate pic.twitter.com/yDFzCOJ5Pg
The finish served as a critical rebound for the USWNT, whose shutout streak of 880 minutes was snapped by Nigeria just moments earlier.
In a chippy and challenging contest, Rapinoe’s late-game heroics offered the USWNT a fresh look on offense, further solidifying the veteran’s evolution from starter to game-changer.
Tuesday’s 2-1 victory caps off the USWNT’s pair of September friendlies against Nigeria and is the last match ahead of the squad’s historic Wembley Stadium fixture against England.
The NWSL season begins March 25.
Press has been rehabbing an ACL injury since June.
She could return for the team's April camp.
Vlatko Andonovski also provided updates on Christen Press and others.