Page 20 - AT

A20 SPORTS
Tuesday 12 November 2019

Continued from Page 17 playing time on the field. bar on a shot in the 62nd
Brian added a goal in "Any time I get a chance minute and teammate
the 10th minute, taking on the field at all, it's a Priscilla Chinchilla did the
Lavelle's pass and sending blessing," Williams said. same in the 76th minute.
a scorching shot into the "If my role is to come off Costa Rica, ranked 38th in
corner of the net. It was es- the bench and provide a the world, has never beat-
pecially gratifying for Brian, spark, I'll take it. I'm always en a USA team, having lost
who grew up in nearby St. going to want to start but I 15 consecutive matches.
Simons Island, Georgia, know I have a lot of work to The next time the two
and conducts camps in put in and I view it as I have teams will meet will be on
the Jacksonville area dur- a lot to learn wherever they February 3, 2020 when they
ing the offseason. play me." play in Houston in the final
"It means a lot to score a That's what Andonovski is Group A game in Olympic
goal here," Brian said. "It's looking for in Williams' con- qualifying.
been a really long year and tribution coming off the Even with the lopsided win,
a great year and to cap it bench. Andonovski said there are
off here in Jacksonville with "Lynn did what she's sup- areas that the U.S. must
a goal is great. Growing up U.S. midfielder Julie Ertz (8) attempts a shot on goal off a corner posed to do — come off improve on in the months
here and coming here in kick, against Costa Rica defender Lixy Rodriguez (12) during the the bench and provide a ahead.
first half of an international friendly soccer match Sunday, Nov.
front of family and friends 10, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. spark," the U.S. coach said. "I don't want to sound ar-
and be able to score a Associated Press "She stretched the lines for rogant by any means, but
goal is really great. I had us. Ultimately, she did what there are things we can
over 30 friends and family to play so this is my soccer and it quickly paid divi- every 9 is supposed to do, grow, that's the coach in
members here. home. Yes, my heart is still dends. score goals for us. She me," he said. "Regardless
"I don't have a home here here." Williams converted in the checked all the boxes. It's of how well we do, we can
anymore but I come back Andonovski made several 50th minute off a pass from very comforting and nice always find clips where we
in the offseason to train and substitutions at halftime Tobin Heath. Williams add- to see her doing well in this can do better in the future.
ed a second goal in the environment and growing But what is great about this
68th minute, taking an as- as a player." team is that they want to
sist from Jessica McDonald. Christen Press also added get better. They don't want
Williams narrowly missed a a second-half goal and to settle for where they are
hat trick when her point- the team's final goal was a now.
blank shot was caught by Costa Rica own goal. "If you ask me about the
Bermudez late in the game. The closest Costa Rica result, I'm extremely happy
Williams said she tries to came to scoring was when with the result, but we do
take advantage of her Melissa Herrera hit the cross have to get better."q