USA vs Netherlands highlights: Lindsey Horan's killer header and other must-see moments

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Do not make Lindsey Horan mad.

The U.S. captain scored on a thunderous header after a collision with Lyon teammate Danielle van de Donk on Thursday, salvaging a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and keeping the U.S. women’s national team’s hopes of winning Group E alive.

The two-time defending champs can claim the top spot – and a road to the final that likely wouldn’t include England, Germany or France – by beating Portugal and maintaining their plus-2 goal differential against the Netherlands.

The Americans looked deflated after giving up a goal in the 17th minute, the first time since the 2011 quarterfinals they have trailed in a World Cup game. They appeared disorganized and tentative, showing none of the cohesion they had to start the game.

But a hard tackle by van de Donk early in the second half changed everything.

WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women’s World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More

Horan crumbled to the field and was down for several minutes. She was clearly angry when she finally got up. She had words with her Lyon teammate, and the two were pushing and shoving in the box after the USWNT was awarded a corner kick. Even the referee’s attempt to get the two to make nice didn’t calm Horan, who was still muttering when Rose Lavelle lined up in the corner.

Horan got the last word.

— Nancy Armour, USA TODAY Sports columnist

When does the USWNT play next?

The USWNT concludes group play next week vs. Portugal. The game will kickoff Tuesday at 3 a.m. ET in the U.S., which is 7 p.m. in Auckland, New Zealand. Bookmark our World Cup schedule hub so you don’t miss a game.

United States vs. Portugal

Even after getting only 1 point for a tie against Netherlands, the USWNT has an edge to win Group E because of goal differential. The U.S. won its opener against Vietnam 3-0, while the Dutch only beat Portugal 1-0.

That means Netherlands can only win the group by beating Vietnam in its next match and scoring three more goals than the USWNT scores against Portugal.

There can be no letting off the gas for the Americans.

USWNT vs. Netherlands highlights: Alex Morgan almost scores game-winner

The goals were few and far between. The Dutch scored early and the Americans evened the game in the 62nd minute. It looked, briefly, like Alex Morgan scored a game-winner for the U.S., but the goal was called back for offside.

(Still confused about what offside is? Let us explain.)

Why did Daniëlle van de Donk wear a swim cap at end of USA-Netherlands game?

Netherlands player Daniëlle van de Donk went viral late in the 1-1 tie after a collision with USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle left van de Donk with a gash on the side of her head.

When the cut couldn’t stop bleeding, van de Donk reached for an interesting bandage: a swim camp. Videos and photos of her in the cap quickly circulated the internet and social media, leaving many to wonder what the heck was happening.

“It just opened up and it’s bleeding too much so I couldn’t continue the game without it,” van de Donk said afterward.

“Plus,” she added with a laugh, “it’s fashionable.”

Who was the USA vs. Netherlands referee?

Yoshimi Yamashita, a Japan official, was the referee during the USWNT’s 1-1 draw vs. Netherlands.

This is Yamashita’s second World Cup in as many years — last summer, she was one of six female referees to work the men’s World Cup in Qatar. The 37-year-old also regularly officiates games in Japan’s J League, the country’s top men’s league. Of course, she’s also one of the women’s games top officials. (This is her second women’s World Cup.)

In the U.S. vs. Netherlands’s game, Yamashita had to break up a heated argument and shoving match between U.S. midfielder Lindsey Horan and Netherlands’ midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk, after a hard tackle from van de Donk sent Horan to the ground in pain. Yamashita called the Lyon teammates together before she allowed the USWNT to take a corner kick.

“(Horan) came over, we just had a little talk,” van de Donk said. “The referee came in between us. It wasn’t very necessary. We just played football again after that.”

Horan had the last word, scoring on a header on the corner to tie the game.

But if anyone is thinking of putting Yamashita up for the Nobel Peace Prize, don’t expect Horan to write the nomination.

“I don’t know what (Yamashita) said,” the USWNT captain told reporters, rolling her eyes. “It was too long.”

2023 World Cup: USWNT stats

Lindsey Horan has arguably been the most reliable player for the USWNT through two World Cup games, scoring a goal against both Vietnam and Netherlands. Sophia Smith has tallied two goals also, though both of hers came against Vietnam in the Americans’ first win of group play.

Additionally, through two games Smith has notched one assist, as have Alex Morgan and super sub Rose Lavelle.

Against Netherlands, the Dutch finished with just three shots on goal, which impressed USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski.

“That’s a good defense,” Andonovski said. “Anyone that can keep the Netherlands on three shots for 90 minutes is pretty good.”

USWNT ties Netherlands 1-1 on header from Lindsey Horan

A header from Lindsey Horan in the 62nd minute gave the UWSNT a goal it desperately needed, tying Netherlands 1-1.

Horan had taken a hard foul from Danielle Van de Donk, and was still complaining to the referee about it when Rose Lavalle lined up to take a corner kick. Horan tracked it the whole way and outmuscled several Dutch defenders before burying it with a thunderous header.

The Americans had several other chances over the last 30 minutes, including a goal by Alex Morgan that was waved off for being offside. There was also a screamer by Trinity Rodman that went just wide and a shot by Sophia Smith that was cleared off the line.

Rose Lavelle subs in for USWNT, gets yellow card

Rose Lavelle, the 28-year-old midfielder who had a spectacular 2019 World Cup and scored the winning goal in the USWNT’s 2-0 win over Netherlands in the final, started the second half in place of Savannah DeMelo. The Americans trail 1-0 in the second game of group play.

Lavelle, who also came in as a sub vs. Vietnam, has been sidelined the last couple months with a knee injury. The Americans are hoping that like 2019, she provides a spark on the field.

Minutes into the second half, Lavelle was issued a yellow card for a hard tackle on a Dutch player.

What happens if US loses to Netherlands, are they out of World Cup?

No need to panic just yet. The US-Netherlands game is just the second of group play for the Americans. They’ve got Portugal next week. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout round — but the second place spot from Group E is a much tougher path to the World Cup final.

If Netherlands hangs on for a win tonight vs. the USWNT, that makes the game against Portugal a must win.

USWNT trailing Netherlands 1-0 at halftime

The USWNT couldn’t equal Netherlands in the first half of play, trailing 1-0 as teams went to the locker room. The Americans look all out of sorts, and the stats aren’t encouraging: The U.S. possessed the ball just 33% of the time, compared to 52% for the Dutch.

The Americans have just two shots on goal, while Netherlands is 1-for-1 in that category.

Expect to see multiple U.S. subs in the second half.

Instant analysis from Wellington: USWNT loses composure after early score

The USWNT was playing as well as it has in a long time early in the game. It was finding spaces, connecting passes and probing the Dutch defense, and it was working, with a couple of chances. But the Americans seemed to completely lose their composure after the Netherlands’ goal. They looked tentative and disorganized, and they were out of sync when they did have chances.

That said, Sophia Smith was very active in the closing minutes of the half. The Dutch were manhandling her, but if she can shake them in the second half, a goal will come.

— Nancy Armour, USA TODAY Sports columnist

Jill Roord goal gives Netherlands early 1-0 lead on USWNT

The Netherlands took a 1-0 lead on the USWNT in the 17th minute after a whole lot of miscues by the Americans. A hard shot from Jill Roord found the corner of the net, just past Alyssa Naeher’s hands. It was the Netherlands’ first shot of the day.