U.S. U-23 WNT Draws 1-1 With Sweden To Win 2019 Nordic Tournament
Jordan DiBiasi of the Washington Spirit Equalizes in 59th Minute
LOUGHBOROUGH, England (Sept. 2, 2019) – The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team drew 1-1 with Sweden in its third and final match of the 2019 Nordic Tournament, but the tie was good enough to earn the USA the championship.
The USA defeated Norway 2-0 on Aug. 29, and England 1-0 on Aug. 30 to set up the match with Sweden, which scored in the 26th minute.
Jordan DiBiasi, who plays for the Washington Spirit, drew the USA level with a penalty kick in the 59th minute and that was all the Americans needed to earn a point and the tournament title. It was DiBiasi’s first U-23 international goal.
The teams took penalty kicks after the match (as is a tournament rule after a tie) and the USA won the shootout, 6-5, to earn an extra point but still would have won the competition no matter the result of the spot kicks. The USA finished with eight total points and Sweden was second with four. England and Norway both finished on three points, but England took third with a slightly better goal difference.
The timing of the tournament during the FIFA international dates meant that U.S. head coach B.J. Snow could name a roster of almost all professional players -- 15 from the NWSL and four currently playing in Europe – in addition to Fox.
Fox has three caps with the U.S. senior side and four other players on this roster have been called up to the Women’s National Team in the past: Murphy, who started her pro career in France with Montpellier and now plays for Reign FC, midfielder Haley Hanson from the Houston Dash, midfielder Savannah McCaskill from the Chicago Red Stars and forward Hailie Mace. Hanson has one senior WNT cap, Mace has three and McCaskill has six.
-U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team Match Report-
Match: United States Under-23 WNT vs. Sweden U-23 WNT
Date: September 2, 2019
Competition: 2019 Nordic Tournament
Venue: Loughborough University; Loughborough, England
Weather: 68 degrees, Raining
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
SWE 1 0 1
SWE – n/a 26th minute
USA – Jordan DiBiasi 59
USA: 1-Casey Murphy, 2-Emily Fox, 20-Bethany Balcer, 8-Alana Cook,10-Jordan DiBiasi, 11-Imani Dorsey (9-Paig Monaghan, 76), 6-Haley Hanson (capt.),7-Cece Kizer (3-Madison Pogarch, 46), 18-Simone Charley (13-Hailie Mace, 59), 5-Samantha Staab (14-Gabby Vincent, 76), 25-Savannah McCaskill (15-Summer Green, 59)
Subs Not Used: Emily Boyd, Carlyn Baldwin, Schuyler Debree, Brooke Denesik, Julie James, Erin Simon, Marisa Viggiano
Head Coach: B.J. Snow
NOR: 1-Emma Holmgren, 23-Amand Nidlen (5-Lotta Okvist, 46), 2-Anna Oskarsson, 3-Emma Pennsater, 14-Matilda Plan, 9-Hanna Bennison, 11-Tove Almqvist (22-Ebba Hed, 78), 8-Filippa Angeldal, 20-Michelle De Jongh, 10-Loreta Kullashi, 6-Ebba Wieder
Subs Not Used:
Head Coach: Ulf Kristiansson
Stats Summary: USA / SWE
Shots: 13 / 5
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 1 / 5
Corner Kicks: 10 / 2
Fouls: 7 / 11
Offside: 2 / 2
Misconduct Summary:
SWE -- Ebba Wieder (caution) 44th minute
Officials:
Referee: Declan Bourne
Assistant Referee: Chris Reeson
Assistant Referee: Ceri Williams
Fourth Official: Tom Bowkett