Pia Sundhage closed out her five years as head coach of the U.S. WNT on a high note as the USA defeated Australia 6-2. Photo Credit: U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer News: U.S. Women's National Team Defeats Australia 6-2 in Third Game of Fan Tribute Tour

In front of a sold-out crowd of 18,589 fans at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the U.S. Women's National Team closed out the Pia Sundhage era with a 6-2 win against Australia in the third game of the Fan Tribute Tour, presented by Panasonic. Five different goal scorers got on the board to extend the USA's unbeaten lifetime record to 22-0-2 against Australia.

The win caps off the five-year tenure of Sundhage, who completed her service with a 91-6-10 record that included two Olympic Gold medals and a second-place finish at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

"I think I'm a better coach after having been here for five years coaching on the highest level, in three finals and making all kinds of decisions with the team," said Sundhage. "I'm very grateful and very happy for the team. It's the best team in the world."

Budweiser Woman of the Match Alex Morgan contributed two goals and Abby Wambach deposited the game-winner as the United States unloaded for four second half goals to sail past the visitors. Heather O'Reilly opened the scoring for the USA in the 25th minute, but Australia came back to take a 2-1 lead behind goals from Lisa de Vanna and Sarah Walsh, who was playing her last game for the Matildas. After Morgan and Wambach provided the U.S. with the lead once again, Shannon Boxx and Sydney Leroux rounded out the scoring.

The U.S. WNT improves its record to 23-1-1 in 2012, and next faces Germany on October 20 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Fans can follow the action on via ussoccer.com's MatchTracker or on Twitter.

Additional Notes:

• Alex Morgan increased her career goal total to 34 in 51 international matches.
• U.S. defender and team captain Christie Rampone played in her 270th career international match on Sunday. She sits four behind third-place Julie Foudy (272) on the all-time list.
• The USA has outscored Australia 79-20 in their 24 meetings all-time.
• The U.S. WNT earned its 14th  consecutive victory dating back to early April of this year
• Boxx earned her 174th cap and sole possession of 10th place overall on the all-time list, surpassing former goalkeeper Briana Scurry.
• After three games of the Fan Tribute Tour, presented by Panasonic, the U.S. is undefeated at 3-0-0 and has outscored their opponents 16-3. 

U.S. Women's National Team Match Report

Match: U.S. WNT vs. Australia 
Date: September 19, 2012 
Competition: International Friendly 
Venue: Dick's Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. 
Kickoff: 8:13 p.m. MT 
Attendance: 18,589 
Weather: 68 degrees, clear

Scoring Summary:   1      2      F 
USA                           2      4      6 
AUS                           2      0      2

USA - Heather O'Reilly (Alex Morgan)                                  25^th minute 
AUS - Lisa de Vanna (Clare Polkinghorne)                          32 
AUS - Sarah Walsh (Stephanie Catley)                               34 
USA - Alex Morgan (Kelley O'Hara)                                      43 
USA - Abby Wambach (Alex Morgan)                                   53 
USA - Alex Morgan (Heather Mitts)                                      63 
USA - Shannon Boxx (Megan Rapinoe)                                69 
USA - Sydney Leroux (Megan Rapinoe)                               82

Lineups: 
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 6-Amy LePeilbet (2-Heather Mitts, 46), 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 16-Rachel Buehler, 5-Kelley O'Hara (4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 46); 9-Heather O'Reilly (15-Megan Rapinoe, 46), 12-Lauren Cheney (7-Shannon Boxx, 46), 10-Carli Lloyd, 17-Tobin Heath (8-Amy Rodriguez, 62); 13-Alex Morgan (11-Sydney Leroux, 74), 14-Abby Wambach 
Substitutions Not Used: 21-Jill Loyden 
Head coach: Pia Sundhage

AUS: 18-Brianna Davey; 19-Stephanie Catley, 8-Danielle Brogan, 10-Servet Uzunlar, 7-Caitlin Foord;  4-Clare Polkinghorne (23-Alanna Kennedy, 74), 14-Collette McCallum (15-Emily van Egmond, 61), 17-Kyah Simon (22-Michelle Heyman, 76), 2-Teigen Allen (12-Kathryn Gill, 86); 9-Sarah Walsh (capt.) (3-Ashley Brown, 57), 11-Lisa de Vanna 
Substitutions Not Used: 20-Samantha Kerr, 21-Mackenzie Arnold, 24-Emily Gielnik 
Head coach: Tom Sermanni

Stats Summary: USA / AUS 
Shots: 21 / 3 
Shots on Goal: 13 / 2 
Saves: 1 / 7 
Corner Kicks: 4 / 1 
Fouls: 3 / 8 
Offside: 2 / 1

Misconduct Summary: 
AUS - Sarah Walsh (caution)                       34^th minute

Officials: 
Referee: Kristin Schiereck (USA) 
Assistant Referee 1: Emilie Buse (USA) 
Assistant Referee 2: Shannon Poplstein (USA) 
Fourth Official: Katja Koroleva (USA)

Budweiser Woman of the Match: Alex Morgan

Related Articles: U.S. WNT on SoccerNation