Megan Rapinoe scored twice and the United States won the SheBelieves Cup title on Wednesday evening with a 6-0 win over Argentina.
The US is unbeaten for a total of 37 games in a row and 53 on American soil. Under Vlatko Andonovski, who succeeded Jill Ellis as team manager in 2019, they are a perfect 16 wins from 16 games.
Carli Lloyd, Kristie Mewis, Alex Morgan and Christen Press also scored, and the American women also become the first team to have three consecutive shutouts in the SheBelieves Cup, the annual round-robin competition in its sixth year.
“We wanted to come out quickly as always,” said Rapinoe, the 2019 Ballon d’Or winner who plays for the NWSL’s OL Reign. “It’s always dangerous to let teams hang around, so we were able to do that today. I was just trying to find the space, be aggressive. Found myself a bit more in the middle. The nines better be careful so I can score goals. Just try to get up there and take the risk. “
The United States knocked out Canada in the tournament opener behind a late goal from Manchester City player Rose Lavelle, who was named the league’s Most Valuable Player, before winning Brazil 2-0 on Sunday. Earlier Wednesday, Brazil beat Canada 2-0 at Exploria Stadium. Brazil finished second.
Argentina, a late addition after Japan dropped over coronavirus concerns, didn’t win a game but impressed with gritty performance. The Argentines at number 31 were the lowest-placed team in the field behind the top-ranked Americans, followed by Brazil and Canada, who are tied for eighth.
Rapinoe scored in the 16th minute with a well-timed shot on a through ball from Lavelle for the early lead.
Rapinoe added another in the 26th minute, tapping a cross from Lloyd. Rapinoe is the greatest goalscorer of all time SheBelieves Cup with seven goals, including three in this edition.
Lloyd added a goal in the 34th. It was Lloyd’s 124th international goal and it was her 299th appearance with the national team. The New Jersey native is off to become the third US and third ever player, male or female, to have played for her country 300 or more times, joining her former teammates Kristine Lilly and Christine Pearce Rampone.
Kristie Mewis scored at an angle in the far corner for her fourth international goal in the 41st minute, and the United States took a 4-0 lead at the break.
In the 84th, Morgan scored her first goal since giving birth to daughter Charlie last May. It was her 108th international goal, which gave her only fifth place along Michelle Akers in the highest ranking of all time.
“I am very excited to get my first goal back with the national team and join the list of moms in the team who have scored goals and played as national team players,” said Morgan. “I just want to be an example to other female athletes who are mothers or want to be mothers, knowing they still belong in the game.”
Press scored on a header shortly after for her 11th goal in her last 15 games. The Manchester United forward has been directly involved in 28 goals in her last 29 country appearances, scoring 13 goals and assisting 15 more.
The Americans, piling up a 27-1 margin in shots overnight, improved 4-0 all-time against Argentina. Jane Campbell didn’t save when the US extended its shutout streak to six games. They conceded one goal in their last 15 games.
“Overall, very happy with how we performed and how we were able to unlock Argentina early in the game, as well as how we finished the game,” said Andonovski.
Afterward, Rapinoe spoke of her excitement to re-join OL Reign for the NWSL season ahead of the Tokyo Olympics after opting out of the 2020 campaign.
[I’m] I’m really excited to be back in the NWSL, ”said Rapinoe, who became the first player to score more than two goals in a single SheBelieves Cup tournament and top the league’s standings with three. “Last year I took all the time I could, of course. I think it really did me good. I think the NWSL and all the teams and players have done a great job with the protocols and kept everyone safe. I look forward to being part of the team again.
“As far as we know, the Olympics are underway. So the preseason is good for us. There are a few games coming up in April and really looking forward to starting the season so we can get that consistent play. I think that’s the next thing I’m really looking forward to, just those consistent matches and that consistent training environment that we can all play in. “