The U.S. women’s team stumbled Thursday in its first game since July, allowing a goal in each half that sent Portugal to its first win against the Americans, 2-1 on a night two-time World Cup winner Alex Morgan was feted with a star-studded farewell.
Portugal not only beat the U.S. for the first time in 12 matches, it scored its first goals against the Americans in international play.
U.S. coach Emma Hayes said she could tell at practice ahead of the match the nearly four-month layoff could affect the team.