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England’s preparations for the 2015 World Cup suffered a setback as Alex Morgan’s header earned the USA victory in a friendly at Stadium MK.
Morgan beat keeper Karen Bardsley after connecting with Lauren Holiday’s cross, her 50th international goal.
England were flat before Jodie Taylor had a goal controversially disallowed for offside after Fran Kirby had a shot tipped on to the bar.
The Lionesses launch their World Cup campaign against France on 9 June.
But head coach Mark Sampson knows he has work to do to fine tune his side ahead of the tournament in Canada.
England were lacklustre for long periods before a late rally failed to produce an equaliser in front of a 14,369 crowd.
England have been drawn in the same group as France, Mexico and Colombia at the World Cup
Sampson takes his players to the Cyprus Cup next month on the back of two straight defeats following the 3-0 setback to Germany, Fifa’s top-ranked team, at Wembley in November.
The USA, two-time World Cup winners, arrived in Milton Keynes on the back of a 2-0 defeat by France.
Yet they were rarely troubled and went ahead when Morgan met Holiday’s 25th minute cross to nod the visitors into the lead.
England survived a penalty scare when Christen Press goes down under a Jill Scott challenge but the referee awarded a corner instead of a spot kick.
The game’s most controversial moment arrived in the 56th minute, Taylor wheeling away in celebration after poking home when Kirby’s shot was tipped on to the bar before rebounding back into play.
But the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag, television replays showing the goal should have stood.
Bardsley denied Morgan what would have been a stunning second goal – the USA striker beating Alex Scott inside the box in the 75th minute before being thwarted by a strong save.
England pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages but could find no way through a well-drilled United States defence on a frustrating night for the hosts.
England head coach Mark Sampson: “We scored a goal which is a good goal, so it is always disappointing when the officials let you down.
“It’s just a wrong decision. These girls are in pre-season still, so we knew we needed to be resolute. Physically we weren’t in a position to compete and we knew we had to be a bit clever.
“Tonight we have learned we can be a threat on the counter attack, which is a huge positive for us because normally we dominate possession.”
The United States are among the favourites to win the 2015 Wolrd Cup
England scored 52 goals during their World Cup qualifying campaign
The Lionesses face Australia, Finland and Holland at the Cyprus Cup
Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (8)
England Women
- 01 Bardsley
- 02 Scott
- 05 Houghton
- 06 Bassett (Clarke – 90′ )
- 03 Stokes (Greenwood – 69′ )
- 07 Nobbs (Williams – 81′ )
- 08 Scott
- 04 Potter (Aluko – 79′ )
- 11 Carney
- 09 Taylor (Sanderson – 81′ )
- 10 Kirby
Substitutes
- 12 Bonner
- 13 Chamberlain
- 14 Greenwood
- 15 Stoney
- 16 Williams
- 17 Chapman
- 18 Moore
- 19 Clarke
- 20 Aluko
- 21 Telford
- 22 Sanderson
USA Women
- 24 Harris
- 11 Krieger
- 06 Engen
- 04 Sauerbrunn
- 25 Klingenberg (Dunn – 79′ )
- 23 Press (O’Hara – 92′ )
- 12 Holiday
- 15 Brian
- 10 Lloyd
- 13 Morgan (Rodriguez – 90′ )
- 20 Wambach
Substitutes
- 05 O’Hara
- 07 Boxx
- 08 Rodriguez
- 09 O’Reilly
- 14 Johnston
- 16 Chalupny
- 17 Heath
- 19 Van Hollebeke
- 21 Naeher
- 22 Dunn
- 26 Huster
Match Stats
Live Text Commentary
Full Time Match ends, England 0, USA 1.
90:00 +4:47 Full time
Full Time Second Half ends, England 0, USA 1.
90:00 +4:06 Corner, England. Conceded by Ali Krieger.
90:00 +3:26 Attempt saved. Fara Williams (England) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Lianne Sanderson.
90:00 +2:23 Carli Lloyd (USA) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90:00 +2:23 Foul by Alex Scott (England).
90:00 +1:22 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, USA. Kelley O’Hara replaces Christen Press.
89:53 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, England. Jessica Clarke replaces Laura Bassett.
89:34 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, USA. Amy Rodriguez replaces Alex Morgan.
86:30Corner, England. Conceded by Ashlyn Harris.
85:24Alex Morgan (USA) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85:24Foul by Stephanie Houghton (England).
82:23Corner, England. Conceded by Becky Sauerbrunn.
80:21 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, England. Fara Williams replaces Jordan Nobbs.
80:10 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, England. Lianne Sanderson replaces Jodie Taylor.
78:17 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, USA. Crystal Dunn replaces Meghan Klingenberg.
78:05 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, England. Eniola Aluko replaces Jo Potter.
77:49Lauren Holiday (USA) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
77:49Foul by Jill Scott (England).
77:14Attempt blocked. Carli Lloyd (USA) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ali Krieger.
BBC Sport