Missing Megan Rapinoe reportedly with an injury, the U.S. Women's National Team took down England to advance to the 2019 Women's World Cup Final by a 2-1 margin.
In a back and forth first half, the Stars and Stripes jumped out to yet another early lead as Christen Press headed home a pass from defender Kelley O'Hara in the 10th minute. The goal continued a trend of head coach Jill Ellis's side of coming out of the gates fast as Press's goal was the sixth goal inside the opening 15 minutes of the tournament for the U.S.
The lead didn't last for long as the English turned its leading goalscorer Ellen White, who finished off a one-timer with a perfectly weighted flick off of Beth Mead's cross in the 19th minute.
The fireworks continued with yet another converted cross as U.S. captain Alex Morgan bagged her sixth goal of the tournament in the 31st minute. After scoring five goals in the World Cup opener against Thailand, Morgan reclaimed the lead for the Golden Boot with a timely header off a Lindsay Horan volley.
The second half kept hearts across the U.S. racing as England pushed for an equalizer. The Lionesses thought they had tied the match in the 69th minute as White slipped pass the U.S.'s centerbacks but a check of VAR ruled White was offside. White earned another scoring chance for England late in the match, drawing an opportunity from the penalty spot after being fouled inside the box according to the VAR. English captain Steph Houghton attemped the shot in the 84th minute but goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher timed her dive to stop the goal.
The USWNT looks to repeat as champions and it's fourth FIFA World Cup title on Sunday in Paris when they face the winner of Wednesday's second semifinal between the Netherlands and Sweden.
