Ellen White temporarily leads Golden Boot race after equalizer vs. USWNT (Video)

The USWNT scored in the first 10 minutes of the game via an excellent header from Christen Press, but it didn’t take long for England’s star striker Ellen White to equalize.

Although the USWNT didn’t have Megan Rapinoe in the starting lineup, they didn’t miss a beat offensively, as left winger Christen Press scored in the 10th minute to give the World Cup favorites the early lead. Press drifted in at the far post unmarked and headed home powerfully after receiving an inch-perfect cross from right back Kelley O’Hara.

Of course, England are no strangers to scoring off of inch-perfect crosses, and they matched the USWNT in this regard with their equalizer. England needed only nine minutes to mount their response against the United States, as Ellen White scored the equalizer in the 19th minute to tie the game at 1-1.

White has been on fire in this tournament, and this goal was her sixth overall. She is now first in the Golden Boot race, ahead of Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan who have both scored five goals for the USWNT. (Morgan would tie White up for six goals before the half.)

Left midfielder Beth Mead was a regular starter over Toni Duggan early in the tournament and showed why she deserves to start over the England legend. Mead is one of the best crossers in world football today and has served up some lovely assists this tournament, with this cross to White being another example of her quality.

Meanwhile, White is so good at drifting in between center backs, and she has a killer instinct in front of goal. White’s movement off the ball has always been genius, and she’s now become one of the world’s most devastating finishers in front of goal. The United States certainly witnessed her skills first-hand with this goal.

Not only was White temporarily in the lead in the Golden Boot race, but she also has a legitimate Player of the Tournament case, especially if England defeat the USWNT in the semifinals,