USA's Christen Press (dark jersey) attempts a shot against visiting Romania during their international friendly on November 13, 2016, in Carson, California . (Photo: Brad Smith/isiphotos.com)
CARSON, California -- The United States women’s national team completed 2016 unbeaten, topping Romania, 5-0, at the StubHub Center on Sunday night.
The Americans posted a 22W-3D-0L mark, the third time they have gone undefeated through a calendar year (2006 and 2013 were the other).
Christen Press, who connected for three goals in an 8-1 win over the Romanians on Wednesday, scored for the fourth consecutive game and added an assist.
Although the U.S. held a massive advantage in shots attempted, 31-0, and dominated possession from the opening whistle it took 20 minutes before the first goal was scored.
That occurred when Romania's Teodora Meluta chested a Crystal Dunn cross into her own goal. A minute into first-half stoppage time, Dunn doubled the lead, beating goalkeeper Roxana Oprea from 10 yards for her 14th goal the year.
Press made it 3-0 in the 55th minute as she put home a Tobin Heath feed between Oprea's legs for her 41st career goal.
Morgan Brian converted a penalty kick in the 88th minute after a Romania handball, while Samantha Mewis closed out the scoring a minute into stoppage time by heading home Kelley O'Hara’s cross.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher posted her fourth shutout of the year and improved to 5-0-0.
International Friendly
November 13, 2016: StubHub Center -- Carson, California, USA (Att: 20,336)
USA-Romania 5-0 (2-0)
own-goal, Teodora Meluta 20’; Crystal Dunn 45’+1; Christen Press 55’; Morgan Brian 88’ pen; Samantha Mewis 90’+1
USA: Alyssa Naeher; Becky Sauerbrunn (Kelley O'Hara 70’), Allie Long (Samantha Mewis 70’), Casey Short (Ali Krieger 46’), Kealia Ohai (Alex Morgan 46’), Andi Sullivan, Morgan Brian, Tobin Heath, Crystal Dunn (Lindsey Horan 61’), Lynn Williams (Julie Johnston 46’), Christen Press. Head Coach: Jill Ellis
Romania: Roxana Oprea; Ioana Bortan, Adina Giurgiu (Beatrice Tarasila 79’), Maria Ficzay, Stefania Vatafu, Laura Rus (Lidia Havristiuc 63’), Andreea Voicu (Loredana Popa 88’), Teodora Meluta, Ana Maria Gorea (Andreea Corduneanu 52’), Mara Batea (Alexandra Lunca 46’), Mihaela Ciolacu (Cristina Carp 82’). Head Coach: Mirel Albon
R: Margaret Domka (USA); AR1: Felisha Mariscal (USA); AR2: Amanda Ross (USA); 4th: Christina Unkel (USA)
