Portugal made a shocking comeback and won United States The women went 2-1 in a friendly in Chester, Pa., on Thursday night to beat the Americans for the first time in 12 matches.
Although he is missing several key stars – such as an injured striker. Trinity Rodman — it was basically a full line-up of Emma Hayes and the Americans, who lost their first game since a friendly defeat to Brazil in April.
It was Hayes and the USA's first game in 113 days since beating Canada in early July.
American football honors career retired stars Alex Morgan before the game in the same stadium where Morgan scored the first of her 123 national team goals, which ranks fifth in program history. She scored her first goal at the same stadium in 2010.
Hayes' team got off to a good start. Rose Lavelle scored in the first minute and almost doubled the lead soon after. But despite the early goal, Portugal, which had not won a game in its last eight matches, settled down and gave the United States a good chance before the end of the first half.
Portugal deservedly equalized shortly before half-time from a corner kick when Diana Gomez went unmarked at the back post and headed it past the USA goalkeeper. Fallon Tallis-Joyce this is the first goal that the Portuguese have ever scored against the USWNT.
In the second half, the USWNT acted more aggressively, but this was the initiative of Portugal. Fatima Pinto Instead she scored, her deflected shot beating Tallis-Joyce to give the visitors a surprise lead.
Portugal held on for the win, handing Hayes only her third defeat during her tenure as U.S. coach.
The U.S. plays Portugal again on Sunday and ends its international window with a friendly against New Zealand October 29.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this review.
