Julie Ertz powers United States to victory over Spain in SheBelieves Cup
HARRISON, N.J. — Julie Ertz scored on a header in the 87th minute and the United States extended its unbeaten streak to 30 games with a 1-0 win over Spain in the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday at a sold-out Red Bull Arena.
Christen Press sent a crossing pass from the left flank on a free kick and Ertz, running at full speed, nodded it past Sandra Panos. The Spanish goalkeeper got a hand on the shot but could not prevent it from going into the net.
U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made three saves in her second shutout of the tournament. She blanked England 2-0 on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida.
The win gave the United States six points and put it in position to win the four-team tournament with a tie against winless Japan on Wednesday in Frisco, Texas.
The United States had some great scoring chances, only to be stopped by Panos. She pushed a shot by Megan Rapinoe over the crossbar in the 32nd minute and made a diving stop on a long-range blast by Samantha Mewis in the 60th minute.
Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe set new standards for young female athletes. Learn more about them and other inspiring fresh faces in our Women in Sports package.
Naeher collected a long, low, hard shot by Alexia Putellas in the 40th minute.
A curling shot by Marta Cardona went just wide in the 68th minutes and Naeher had to handle a header by Petullas in the box in the 74th minute.
The tournament ends on Wednesday in Frisco, Texas with England (1-1) facing Spain (1-1) and the United States playing Japan (0-2). England beat Japan 1-0 in the opener of the doubleheader at a stadium that has a capacity of 25,189.
In a pregame celebration, defender Crystal Dunn was honored for attaining her 100th cap in a game against Mexico on Feb. 7. She was the 39th U.S. woman to hit that mark. Ertz made her 100th appearance in the win over England on Wednesday.
