Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd score as USWNT gets first win in Rio

The U.S Women’s National Team got their first win in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio tonight, as Alex Morgan, and Carli Lloyd each scored goals against New Zealand.

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The United States Women’s National team kicked off its 2016 Olympics in winning style. The USWNT took on New Zealand in the opening game of group stage today at Mineirão Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. This was the first of three group games that the United States will play before hopefully moving on to the knockout stage.

The U.S took advantage early, in the eighth minute as Tobin Heath lobed the ball right in front of the goal and Captain Carli Lloyd was there to head it in. That was Lloyd’s 89th international goal of her career and 10th of 2016. After the goal, two yellow cards are given out to New Zealand’s Hassett and Riley, but the U.S was unable to capitalize.

It didn’t take long after returning from halftime before the US would score their second goal of the game. Alex Morgan scored a goal in the 45th minute after she was fed a great pass by Morgan Brian and was able to just barely squeeze it by the New Zealand goalkeeper. That was Morgan’s 68th international goal of her career.

In the final minutes of the match, Tobin Heath was fouled hard, and Carli Lloyd took the free kick that could have made the game 3-0, but it was too high and sailed over the crossbar.  The U.S finished the match 2-0 over New Zealand and are heading in the right direction. Their next match will be on Saturday, following the opening ceremony this Friday, against France at 4pm ET and will be live on NBCSN.

For more on the USWNT check out our 2016 Olympics page.