USA vs. South Africa Women's Soccer: Score and Reaction for 2016 Friendly

The USA Women's national team narrowly beat South Africa, 1-0, at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, as goalkeeper Hope Solo kept the 100th clean sheet of her national team career.

Crystal Dunn opened the score in the first half, finally breaking down the South African defence, who put up a valiant effort. The Stars and Stripes failed to add to their advantage after half-time.

For South Africa, a team that has never even qualified for a World Cup, it's a tremendous result that should give the squad plenty of confidence ahead of the upcoming Summer Olympics. The hosts will play one more friendly before the start of the tournament.

As shared by the team's official Twitter account, Alex Morgan and Dunn were both in the starting XI for the Stars and Stripes, while Carli Lloyd started on the bench:

The hosts should have taken the lead after just 40 seconds, as a massive defensive blunder allowed Christen Press to run through on goal unchallenged. South African goalkeeper Roxanne Barker did well to close off the angle, but Press should have finished the chance, instead firing a shot wide.

Banyana Banyana were not overwhelmed by the Stars and Stripes, however, and shocked the fans in Chicago by pushing up the pitch and putting pressure on the Americans when in possession.

Fox Soccer's Caitlin Murray didn't like what she saw from the favourites:

Almost every second ball fell to South Africa early, and the visitors forced a couple of corners but were unable to turn those into chances.

Play was halted after eight minutes, as Barker sat down on the pitch after picking up an apparent injury, but after some minor treatment, she was able to carry on.

Chances were few in the early stages, but Julie Johnston went close to scoring from the USA's first corner, making a smart run to the near post before heading wide. Barker did well to block a shot from Morgan, and Mallory Pugh somehow failed to put the rebound home, with Barker off her line.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

The South African stopper then fired a kicked straight into the back of Morgan and was lucky to see the ball land next to her own goal, before team-mate Octovia Nogwanya suffered an injury and left the pitch on a stretcher.

The team's official Twitter account shared details of the injury:

Pugh tried her luck with a shot from distance after a short corner, missing the target, but she redeemed herself shortly after, firing a cross into the box that found a wide-open Dunn for the first goal of the match.

Here's a look at the goal, via the team's official Twitter account:

Washington Spirit's official Twitter account couldn't help itself:

"

GOAL CRYSTAL!!!! Her ability to find the back of the net is Dunncanny #USAvRSA 1-0 

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) July 9, 2016"

The Stars and Stripes immediately pushed on for a second goal, hoping to put South Africa to the sword before half-time, and Kelley O'Hara fired a free-kick wide from a promising position. Dunn nearly found Morgan with a low cross, only for Barker to intervene, and the South Africans stood firm until half-time.

Lloyd was introduced at half-time, and the star helped push her team for a goal early in the second half. The visitors saved a ball off the line after just two minutes, as Allie Long was left wide-open, but Nothando Vilakazi bailed out her goalkeeper.

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Morgan had a shot blocked shortly after and went down clutching her leg immediately—a scary sight this close to the Summer Olympics. She got back up and was able to carry on, however.

The pace of the match dropped soon after, however, as South Africa settled back into their defensive routine. A mad scramble in front of the Banyana Banyana led to some danger, but all in all, the visitors stood firm rather easily.

Morgan made way for Ali Krieger, and her movement created a chance for Pugh, who fired a shot right at Barker. A barrage of crosses didn't lead to any real danger, but on the other side of the pitch, South Africa couldn't create any chances of their own.

Jessica Hill/Associated Press

Meghan Klingenberg tried to beat Barker with a long-range effort, which fell right into her arms, and Pugh's inside pass for Krieger missed the mark. Some late pressure didn't lead to a second goal, and Banyana Banyana even controlled possession in injury time.

Per John D. Halloran of American Soccer Now, head coach Jill Ellis acknowledged her team did not play up to its usual standards:

The USWNT will face Costa Rica in the second of their send-off matches on Friday, July 22, before starting their Olympic campaign against New Zealand.