Heyman was responsible for the Matildas’ only attempt on target in the 80th minute of the game as she charged through the US centre-backs to head home a curling Raso cross, while two consecutive fingertip saves from Micah down the other end kept Australia’s hopes of a possible last-gasp equaliser alive as stoppage time loomed.
Despite their mid-game resurgence, Australia’s hopes of a first SheBelieves Cup win faded as a piercing Claire Hutton pass cut through the wall of flouro yellow shirts to set up substitute Michelle Cooper, who squeezed the ball beneath Micah in the 67th minute to make it 2-0.
Winonah Heatley, earning a start in place of Katrina Gorry, ran off a rolled ankle to impress alongside the industrious Kyra Cooney-Cross; the two forming a solid midfield foundation that allowed Australia’s attackers to spring forward, ending the half with three times as many shots as their opening match just days ago.
Despite the USA starting what broadcast commentator Robbie Thompson described as “an untested XI”, with head coach Emma Hayes rotating the entire team following their win over Colombia on Friday, this young, vibrant side commanded the game both in and out of possession in the opening stages.
In the first attack of the game, USA winger Emma Sears swept past a scrambling Ellie Carpenter, twisting and turning the Lyon defender before slipping through forward Jaedyn Shaw, who squared for an unmarked Lynn Biyendolo to tap into an empty net.
