England women 0-1 USA women

England 0-1 USA: Highlights as England lose in friendly

England's preparations for the 2015 World Cup suffered a setback as Alex Morgan's header earned the USA victory in a friendly at Stadium MK.

Morgan beat keeper Karen Bardsley after connecting with Lauren Holiday's cross, her 50th international goal.

England were flat before Jodie Taylor had a goal controversially disallowed for offside after Fran Kirby had a shot tipped on to the bar.

The Lionesses launch their World Cup campaign against France on 9 June.

But head coach Mark Sampson knows he has work to do to fine tune his side ahead of the tournament in Canada.

England were lacklustre for long periods before a late rally failed to produce an equaliser in front of a 14,369 crowd.

England have been drawn in the same group as France, Mexico and Colombia at the World Cup

Sampson takes his players to the Cyprus Cup next month on the back of two straight defeats following the 3-0 setback to Germany, Fifa's top-ranked team, at Wembley in November.

The USA, two-time World Cup winners, arrived in Milton Keynes on the back of a 2-0 defeat by France.

Yet they were rarely troubled and went ahead when Morgan met Holiday's 25th minute cross to nod the visitors into the lead.

England survived a penalty scare when Christen Press goes down under a Jill Scott challenge but the referee awarded a corner instead of a spot kick.

The game's most controversial moment arrived in the 56th minute, Taylor wheeling away in celebration after poking home when Kirby's shot was tipped on to the bar before rebounding back into play.

But the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag, television replays showing the goal should have stood.

Bardsley denied Morgan what would have been a stunning second goal - the USA striker beating Alex Scott inside the box in the 75th minute before being thwarted by a strong save.

England pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages but could find no way through a well-drilled United States defence on a frustrating night for the hosts.

England head coach Mark Sampson: "We scored a goal which is a good goal, so it is always disappointing when the officials let you down.

"It's just a wrong decision. These girls are in pre-season still, so we knew we needed to be resolute. Physically we weren't in a position to compete and we knew we had to be a bit clever.

"Tonight we have learned we can be a threat on the counter attack, which is a huge positive for us because normally we dominate possession."

The United States are among the favourites to win the 2015 Wolrd Cup

England scored 52 goals during their World Cup qualifying campaign

The Lionesses face Australia, Finland and Holland at the Cyprus Cup

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

England

Formation 4-4-2

1Bardsley

2Scott5Houghton6Bassett3Stokes

7Nobbs8Scott4Potter11Carney

9Taylor10Kirby

• 1Bardsley
• 2Scott
• 5Houghton
• 6BassettSubstituted forClarkeat 90'minutes
• 3StokesSubstituted forGreenwoodat 69'minutes
• 7NobbsSubstituted forWilliamsat 81'minutes
• 8Scott
• 4PotterSubstituted forAlukoat 79'minutes
• 11Carney
• 9TaylorSubstituted forSandersonat 81'minutes
• 10Kirby

Substitutes

• 12Bonner
• 13Chamberlain
• 14Greenwood
• 15Stoney
• 16Williams
• 17Chapman
• 18Moore
• 19Clarke
• 20Aluko
• 21Telford
• 22Sanderson

USA

Formation 4-4-2

24Harris

11Krieger6Engen4Sauerbrunn25Klingenberg

23Press12Holiday15Brian10Lloyd

13Morgan20Wambach

• 24Harris
• 11Krieger
• 6Engen
• 4Sauerbrunn
• 25KlingenbergSubstituted forDunnat 79'minutes
• 23PressSubstituted forO'Haraat 90+2'minutes
• 12Holiday
• 15Brian
• 10Lloyd
• 13MorganSubstituted forRodriguezat 90'minutes
• 20Wambach

Substitutes

• 5O'Hara
• 7Boxx
• 8Rodriguez
• 9O'Reilly
• 14Johnston
• 16Chalupny
• 17Heath
• 19Van Hollebeke
• 21Naeher
• 22Dunn
• 26Huster

Referee:

Sandra Bastos

Match Stats

Home TeamEnglandAway TeamUSA

Possession

Home31%

Away69%

Shots

Home4

Away14

Shots on Target

Home2

Away6

Corners

Home3

Away10

Fouls

Home7

Away6

Live Text

1. Post update

   Match ends, England 0, USA 1.

2. 90'+5'

   Full Time

   Second Half ends, England 0, USA 1.

3. 90'+5'

   Post update

   Corner, England. Conceded by Ali Krieger.

4. 90'+4'

   Post update

   Attempt saved. Fara Williams (England) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Lianne Sanderson.

5. 90'+3'

   Post update

   Carli Lloyd (USA) wins a free kick on the left wing.

6. 90'+3'

   Post update

   Foul by Alex Scott (England).

7. 90'+2'

   Substitution

   Substitution, USA. Kelley O'Hara replaces Christen Press.

8. 90'

   Substitution

   Substitution, England. Jessica Clarke replaces Laura Bassett.

9. 90'

   Substitution

   Substitution, USA. Amy Rodriguez replaces Alex Morgan.

10. 87'

    Post update

    Corner, England. Conceded by Ashlyn Harris.

11. 86'

    Post update

    Alex Morgan (USA) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

12. 86'

    Post update

    Foul by Stephanie Houghton (England).

13. 83'

    Post update

    Corner, England. Conceded by Becky Sauerbrunn.

14. 81'

    Substitution

    Substitution, England. Fara Williams replaces Jordan Nobbs.

15. 81'

    Substitution

    Substitution, England. Lianne Sanderson replaces Jodie Taylor.

16. 79'

    Substitution

    Substitution, USA. Crystal Dunn replaces Meghan Klingenberg.

17. 79'

    Substitution

    Substitution, England. Eniola Aluko replaces Jo Potter.

18. 78'

    Post update

    Lauren Holiday (USA) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

19. 78'

    Post update

    Foul by Jill Scott (England).

20. 78'

    Post update

    Attempt blocked. Carli Lloyd (USA) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ali Krieger.

Page 1 of 4

Navigate to the next page

Navigate to the last page