Morgan stars as US beats Matildas

Morgan scored the equaliser in the 55th minute and won a penalty that fellow Southern Californian Shannon Boxx converted eight minutes later as the London gold medallist shook off a rough first 45 minutes against the Matildas.

US has won the first two games on the 10-game tour. The match drew 19,851 to the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California.

Australia went ahead in the 34th minute when Lisa De Vanna beat Hope Solo after outsprinting two defenders on a stunning run which started just inside her own half.

“It was a very promising performance, I was really delighted with how the players played, with how they kept to the principles that we're trying to instill in them and how we want to play," Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said afterwards.

"I think, particularly the first 45 minutes is as good a 45 minutes as I've seen our team play, probably since the World Cup last year.

"When you consider we had five teenagers on at the start and eight at the finish, overall it was an outstanding performance.

"We had a 17-year-old goalkeeper playing her second international, we had a significant road trip to get here, the environment was for the victory tour for the US, against an extremely experienced and outstanding team.

"To come here and for the players to put on the performance that they did, doesn't just say anything about their ability, but it says a lot about their character as well."

US coach Pia Sundhage will guide the team for the final time in the rematch with Australia in Commerce City, Colorado.