Soccer: Rose Lavelle lifts U.S. over Canada at SheBelieves Cup

Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Second-half substitute Rose Lavelle scored a clutch goal in the 79th minute to lead the United States Women's National Team to a narrow victory over Canada in their first match of the SheBelieves Cup soccer tournament.

The 1-0 win on Thursday at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla., helped the U.S. women push their unbeaten streak to 35 consecutive games.

Both teams had close calls for goals early on, but ended the first half in a scoreless tie. U.S. team manager Vlatko Andonovski then made several lineup changes, which led to the game's lone goal.

The Americans outshot their northern foes 28-9 and controlled 57% of possession in the victory.

Lavelle did not play in the first half. She entered the match in the 64th minute, when Andonovski sent off Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Catarina Macario and brought in Lavelle, Alex Morgan and Christen Press.

Lavelle found the net about 15 minutes later. Press started the scoring sequence when she sent in a free kick from about 25 yards out. Press' cross flew toward the near post, but hit a crowd of defenders and ricocheted back out to the top of the box.

Lavelle then broke away from the crowd and collected the rebound. She then used her right foot to strike a shot on net. The low shot navigated through another crowd of players and squeezed just inside the right post to beat Canada keeper Stephanie Labbe.

The U.S. women battle Brazil in their second match of the SheBelieves Cup at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday on FS1. They then battle Argentina at 7 p.m. EST on Wednesday on FS1.

The U.S. women have won three of the last five SheBelieves Cup titles.