Naeher makes penalty kick save in 80th minute 

CHICAGO – The U.S. Women’s National Team has advanced to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals after defeating England by a score of 2-1. The game belonged to Alyssa Naeher, as the Red Stars starting goalkeeper came up big with a penalty save in the 80th minute to keep the United States up by one. 

In the opening minutes of the game, it would be Christen Press leading off the U.S. WNT with a header goal off a cross from Tobin Heath. However, England would capitalize just nine minutes later as Beth Mead scored her fifth goal of the tournament off an amazing finish that went corner pocket. United States captain Alex Morgan would provide the game-winning goal for the United States in the 31st minute off a pass from Horan.

With all the goals happening in the first 31 minutes of the game, it was Naeher who would be required to lift the USA to the World Cup Finals. In the final minutes of regulation, England was awarded a penalty kick. Naeher stood strong on her line an and made the first penalty stop by the U.S. WNT in FIFA Women’s World Cup History.

The U.S. WNT now faces either Sweden or Netherlands in the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 7 at 10 a.m. CT. The Chicago Red Stars front office will be at the U.S. Soccer Watch Party in Lincoln Park with chances to win free tickets, signed player gear from the U.S. Women’s National Team and more. More information about the event can be found here.