Starting XI: Hope Solo, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’Hara (Heather O’Reilly, 82’), Meghan Klingenberg, Julie Johnston (Whitney Engen, 81’), Mallory Pugh (Samantha Mewis, 87’), Lindsey Horan (Carli Lloyd, 46’), Allie Long, Christen Press, Crystal Dunn, Alex Morgan (Ali Krieger, 68’)
The first half started off at a brisk pace as South Africa looked to pressure the United States and limit their possession. Christen Press got a very early chance in the 1’ as she received the ball while lingering between the South African defenders, but she put the ball wide.
For the next 35 minutes it was a combination of South Africa’s pressure and organized defense and the United States’ inability to put together good passing.