Teenager Shaw's late winner denies Steel Roses in Texas
RISCO, Texas — Jaedyn Shaw scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute to give the United States a 2-1 comeback victory over China on Tuesday night in the Americans' final match of the year.
It was the second of two exhibition matches against China. The United States won the first 3-0 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday.
Shaw's second international goal came in front of her hometown crowd in Frisco. The 19-year-old, who grew up just blocks from Toyota Stadium, was making her first start for the national team.
"I love being here in this stadium, and I have so many memories here," said Shaw, who had some 50 family members and friends at the game. "I'm just so happy to be able to play here at this level and play on this team."
Team China took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Shen Mengyu tapped in Wang Siqian's well-placed header off a freekick.
The goal snapped a seven-game shutout streak for the Americans.
Sam Coffey equalized with her first international goal in the 62nd minute from the top of the box. She celebrated by raising her hands over her head and was mobbed by her teammates.
"It was just one of the best moments of my life," she said. "I've worked my whole life for moments like these and to share them with this team is just a dream come true. What matters most though is that we came away with the win."
The matches closed a difficult year for the United States after the four-time champion was eliminated from the Women's World Cup this summer in the round of 16 after a scoreless draw with Sweden.
The United States was playing under interim coach Twila Kilgore, who will lead the team while newly named head coach Emma Hayes finishes out the Women's Super League season with Chelsea.
Englishwoman Hayes wasn't expected to take over the US team until May, but last week she met with players and was involved in selecting the roster for the final two games against the Steel Roses.
The United States rolled out a very different lineup for Tuesday night's game, making seven changes. While scorers Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman were on the bench, Aubrey Kingsbury replaced Casey Murphy in goal, and Shaw, one of three teenagers on the final roster, started up front.
Veterans Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alyssa Naeher and Crystal Dunn were given time off as Kilgore focused on youth for the year's final training camp and matches.
Emily Fox was subbed out at halftime because of the concussion protocol, replaced by Midge Purce.
Captain Lindsey Horan saw a 66th-minute goal ruled out for offside. Horan was replaced soon after by Paris Saint-Germain's Korbin Albert, who made her US debut.
The Steel Roses, ranked 15th in the world, were runners-up at the 1999 World Cup, won by the United States at the Rose Bowl.
Wang Jun served as interim coach for China. Former coach Shui Qingxia was dismissed after the Steel Roses missed out on the Olympics.
Agencies Via Xinhua
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