Soccer: Mewis, U.S. women beat Portugal, push unbeaten streak to 40

June 11 (UPI) -- Midfielder Sam Mewis' 77th-minute header was enough to lift the United States Women's National Team to a win over Portugal in a soccer friendly. The win extended the team's unbeaten streak to 40-consecutive games.

Mewis' goal ended a scoreless tie and resulted in a 1-0 victory Thursday at BBVA Stadium in Houston. The Americans' last loss came against France on Jan. 29, 2019. They have won 36 times amid their current unbeaten streak.

"I'm grateful we were able to win after creating a lot of chances in the game," Mewis told reporters. "We will be the first to say we created a lot of goal-scoring opportunities and didn't put enough away.

"I definitely think we have higher expectations."

The United States outshot Portugal 26-4 and controlled 65% of possession in the victory. The game's lone score came off a corner kick from striker Christen Press.

Press sent the right-footed kick in from the left corner. She bent the ball toward the near post.

Mewis stood near the goal line as the ball sailed over several players. The 6-foot U.S. midfielder, nicknamed the "Tower of Power," finished the play with a flick past Portugal goalie Ines Pereira from point-blank range.

"It was a good test for us," U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski told reporters. "I feel like we created enough opportunities to score more than one goal. We were disciplined and didn't give anything away, which is very positive.

"Once again, we found a way. That's what we are very good at."

The United States battles Jamaica in another friendly at 10 p.m. EDT Sunday in Houston. They move onto another three friendlies as part of a pre-Olympic schedule.

The Olympic soccer tournament is from July 21 to Aug. 6 in the Japaneses cities of Tokyo, Miyagi, Kashima, Saitama and Sapporo.