FRISCO, Texas — Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson scored as the United States defeated Brazil 2-1 on Wednesday to win the Sheriff’s Cup for the fourth year in a row.
Japan, who defeated Canada 3-0 in the previous match at Toyota Stadium, were runners-up in the four-team tournament. The four SheBelieves Cup teams will play in the Women’s World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand.
Morgan’s goal went beyond the reach of Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena. Morgan now has five goals all time in Shebelieves Cup matches.
It was Morgan’s 14th goal since the birth of her daughter in 2020, giving her the national team record for most goals as a mother.
“That was huge,” Swanson said. “I think we needed it, we needed a push to change in our favour. (He was) Alex doing Alex things. Simple, left-footed, classic. She was getting beaten up the whole first half and finally stopped them.”
In the 63rd minute, Swanson scored his fourth goal of the tournament and seventh overall this year, equaling his goal total for the entirety of last year.
“Honestly, I think it was a good run. I really tried to focus on being out there and dealing with it day in and day out, game by game,” said Swanson.
Swanson, formerly Mallory Pugh, married Chicago Cubs player Dansby Swanson in December.
Ludmila scored in the opposition to prevent Brazil from going down to zero. This was the first goal the United States allowed this year.
“We need to be on the same page. But not only when it comes to reading the game, but also when it comes to the emotional game, we have to be on the same page. If we can do that, I think we’ll have a great World Cup. If not If we can, it’s going to be very difficult.” That’s why I say we have a long way to go,” said Brazil coach Pia Sundage.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle started for the United States after missing the first two games of the tournament with a minor injury.
The SheBelieves Cup kicked off with honors from Alex Morgan and the USA team’s debut against Canada thanks to a double from Mallory Swanson. In addition, Brazil defeated Japan.
Japan snapped a four-match winning streak by defeating Canada. Japan had not scored in four consecutive matches, including two in the SheBelieves Cup, until Keiko Seki put his side ahead with a goal in the 26th minute.
And the Canadian players, amid a labor dispute with their union, returned to wearing purple jerseys with the “Enough Ya” slogan for the anthems and purple wristbands during the game.
Players from the United States also wore purple bracelets in solidarity with Canada.
The SheBelieves Cup began in 2016. Six of the eight tournaments have been won by the United States.
“I don’t think we’ll talk a lot about the title. In fact, we’ll talk a lot about the match and the details, and we’ll use these matches to prepare for the World Cup,” said USA coach Vlatko Andonovski.
“That’s the great thing about it, not necessarily the title, obviously we enjoyed winning the title, we enjoyed winning the title, but the outcome of this match is the most important to us.”
