USWNT topped China 2-1 in FirstEnergy Stadium friendly

In the spirit of today’s men’s FIFA World Cup kick off, let’s take a brief look at the U.S. Women National Team’s international friendly victory over China this week at FirstEnergy Stadium. The match venue is the obvious connection here, and the reason you’re reading this on a Cleveland Browns blog.

Browns stud pass-rusher Myles Garrett and future first-ballot hall of famer Joe Thomas were in attendance, as well, showing support and representing the Browns at the event.

The match itself was pretty exciting, too.

The U.S. women broke the tie, taking a 1-0 advantage after a beautiful cross by Christen Press fell perfectly to allow Megan Rapinoe to knock in a header as the goalkeeper scrambled in pursuit towards the far post.

Just after China found an equalizer in the 72nd minute, the U.S. pulled ahead for good three minutes later, when Tobin Heath pooched a floater over the Chinese goalkeeper’s head.

It wasn’t pretty, but it went in, and the USWNT scored another victory on the international stage, beating China for the second time in five days.

The squad moves to 14-2 in its last 16 international draws, and hasn’t lost a match since dropping their first-round matchup against Australia in the Tournament of Nations in July 2017. The Aussies went on to win the tournament.