The U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team drew 3-3 with England to open the 2017 Women’s Nike International Friendlies as the teams traded goals throughout the match.

In the 90th minute, England cancelled out what looked to be an 87th minute game-winner from Sophia Smith as forward Alessia Russo, who plays at the University of North Carolina, headed a corner kick off the hand of U.S. goalkeeper Laurel Ivory and off the underside of the crossbar. As the ball fell, Ivory batted it away from the goal, but the assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line.
The match was played in front of a standing-room only crowd of more than 2,000 fans at the Premier Sports Campus and they were treated to a tremendously entertaining game and six goals as the USA took three leads only for England to come back and equalize each time.
Smith opened the scoring in the 19th minute off an assist from her Real Colorado club teammate Jaelin Howell, but England answered back almost immediately with a score from Ellie Brazil, who plays for Fiorentina in Italy’s top division. Brazil went off with an injury soon after, leaving the game in the 25th minute.
The USA took the lead off a set play as captain Zoe Morse worked hard to keep the ball alive inside the penalty area and England defender Grace Fisk knocked it into her own net Fisk plays collegiately at the University of South Carolina.
Smith had two more golden chances on shots from distance in the first half, but her 7th minute blast from 25 yards and her low drive from the top of the penalty area in the 39th minute were both parried away with excellent saves from England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck, who played a stellar game.
England came out with more initiative in the second half and got an equalizer in the 54th minute as Anne Patten got behind the defense and slipped a shot inside the right post.
In the 73rd minute, Roebuck, who plays for Manchester City, pulled off a brilliant double-save. Second half substitute Civana Kuhlmann worked her way free at the top of the penalty area and blasted a shot that was headed into the lower right corner before Roebuck got a hand to it. Samantha Coffey had a chance to follow-up on the rebound, but Roebuck pushed that shot wide of the left post.
In the 86th minute, Ivory made what looked to be a crucial save, batting away hard point-blank shot from Rinsola Babajide to set up Smith’s second goal on the USA’s next foray down the field.
Smith then bagged her brace in the 87th minute, but England did not quit. Right after a stoppage in play when Roebuck had to be replaced due to a knock she took earlier in the game, England equalized.
Up next for the USA is a match against Finland, 4-0 losers to Brazil in the first match of the evening, on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch on ussoccer.com, Facebook and YouTube. Brazil sits in first place after the first match day with three points. The USA and England one each from the draw and Finland has zero.
USA (w) U20
England U20
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