Despite a goal by captain Carli Lloyd, the U.S. women's national team was held to a 1-1 draw with South Korea on Sunday in the final game for retiring coach Jill Ellis.
Lloyd's goal tied the game in the 37th minute, matching the score by South Korea's Ji So-yun three minutes earlier. The draw, which gave the U.S. an 18-1-3 record under Ellis this year, came in front of 33,027 fans at Soldier Field, the third-largest crowd on the American team's post-World Cup victory tour.
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Despite a goal by captain Carli Lloyd, the U.S. women's national team was held to a 1-1 draw with South Korea on Sunday in the final game for retiring coach Jill Ellis.
Jessica McDonald's header off the right post in the 83rd minute was the best chance to break the tie. Pugh failed to volley a 7-yard shot past Minjung in the 90th minute. The U.S. outshot South Korea 15-5.
Ji opened the scoring in the 34th minute with an 18-yard shot that sailed just inside the left post, inches from the outstretched hands of American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. That culminated a South Korean ball-control effort that dominated the match for the first 35 minutes. It was Ji's team-leading 55th career goal.
The American team returns to action against Sweden on Nov. 7 in Columbus, Ohio. The coach for that match has not been announced.
South Korea forward Ji Soyun (10) celebrates after scoring against the United States during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)
United States head coach Jill Ellis waves to the crowd as she arrives on the field before an international friendly soccer match against South Korea, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)
Lloyd appeared to score the go-ahead goal in the 93rd minute but was ruled offside on her shot from eight yards out. In the final minute of stoppage, Mallory Pugh had a point-blank chance but backup goalkeeper Kim Minjung got enough of her shot to deflect it off the crossbar.
United States head coach Jill Ellis waves to the crowd as she is honored during a ceremony before an international friendly soccer match against South Korea, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)
Jessica McDonald's header off the right post in the 83rd minute was the best chance to break the tie. Pugh failed to volley a 7-yard shot past Minjung in the 90th minute. The U.S. outshot South Korea 15-5.
Ellis, 53, was honored before the game with a jersey signed by the team and 132 written on the back, signifying the number of games she coached in a career that began with two stints as interim coach in 2012 and 2014. Her two world coach of the year honors came in 2015 and this year following the American victories in the Women's World Cup.
While retiring as coach, Ellis will start her role as an ambassador for U.S. Soccer on Monday.
South Korea forward Ji Soyun (10) scores against the United States during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)
Ji opened the scoring in the 34th minute with an 18-yard shot that sailed just inside the left post, inches from the outstretched hands of American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. That culminated a South Korean ball-control effort that dominated the match for the first 35 minutes. It was Ji's team-leading 55th career goal.
The U.S. tied the match three minutes later, with Lloyd heading Megan Rapinoe's long pass over the head of goalkeeper Kang Ga-ae. The set-piece score, coming a minute after a yellow card to South Korea's Lee Young-ju for an ankle-twisting tackle on Rose Lavelle, was Lloyd's 13th of the year.
Midfielder Julie Ertz had the best American chance before Lloyd's goal, left-footing a shot off the right post in the 26th minute after a Korean giveaway. Crystal Dunn's deep-angle follow-up shot missed the target.
United States forward Carli Lloyd celebrates after scoring against the South Korea during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)
The American team returns to action against Sweden on Nov. 7 in Columbus, Ohio. The coach for that match has not been announced.
United States head coach Jill Ellis waves to the crowd as she is honored during a ceremony before an international friendly soccer match against South Korea, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)
South Korea forward Ji Soyun (10) celebrates after scoring against the United States during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)
United States head coach Jill Ellis waves to the crowd as she arrives on the field before an international friendly soccer match against South Korea, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoKamil Krzaczynski)