WINNIPEG, Canada – United States women’s national team manager Jill Ellis was all smiles at the post-match press conference on Monday night. Her squad secured maximum points from its 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup icebreaker -- a 3-1 win over Australia in Group D – and she was ready to heap praise on the player most responsible for the American victory.
“Megan [Rapinoe] thrives in these big games,” said Ellis. “She’s got ice running through her veins. She’s an absolute game-changer. And that’s what makes her special. I think sometimes when you have teams that are neutralizing each other, you look for those special players to step up and that’s exactly what Megan did tonight. She had a tremendous impact on the game."
The compliments come well-deserved for the former Olympique Lyonnais winger. Though the Americans had the crowd behind them, they were chasing the game early and grappling to keep pace with sprightly Australia. Possession was difficult to come by and goalkeeper Hope Solo was forced into action on numerous occasions. It was against the run of play that Rapinoe stood up and drew first blood.
Positioned 35 yards from goal, the 29-year-old brought down a header from teammate Abby Wambach and took four captivating touches, cutting in on her right foot and unleashing a deflected 12th minute shot that sailed past helpless goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
It was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Stars and Stripes, who had otherwise uneven start against the 2007 and 2011 World Cup quarterfinalist. Even Rapinoe -- quick to deflect praise -- acknowledged the hesitant opening.
“It was a little bit of a shaky game for us, especially the first 30 minutes,” Rapinoe said. “Hope [Solo] came up absolutely huge for us.”
The U.S. went ahead 2-1 through Christen Press in the 61st minute. Then, as Australia desperately pushed forward for a late equalizer, Rapinoe again flashed her game-breaking abilities.
After midfielder Carli Lloyd won the ball in the center of the park with 12 minutes to play, Rapinoe found herself in acres of space along the left wing. Dribbling nearly half the length of the field, she feigned inside just outside the 18 yard box, before taking on an Aussie defender and smartly striking at the far post, just beyond Barbieri’s outstretched gloves.
When asked about her dazzling second goal, Rapinoe compared her efforts to another famous scorer, who has been known to net in similar fashion from time to time.
“I was just doing my best Messi impression,” said a smiling Rapinoe. “Just a much slower version of it.