(Luis Torres, The Tennessean, 03.04.19)

NASHVILLE — Megan Rapinoe was not about to let the U.S. Women’s National Team lose on Saturday.

Rapinoe stood over the ball in the corner in the 67th minute with the USWNT down by a goal to England.

Rapinoe struck the ball and sent it into the penalty box. After a mad scramble, Tobin Heath scored the equalizing goal to tie things up at 2.

Both teams would exchange chances in the final 20 minutes, but the game finished in a 2-2 tie in front of an announced crowd of 22,125 at Nissan Stadium.

It was the second SheBelieves Cup game for both teams.

With the U.S. defense struggled, Rapinoe shined.

In the 33rd minute, Rapinoe chested the ball down to her feet in England’s penalty area.

In a split second, Rapinoe unleashed a shot. The ball dipped and dove to the right of England goalie Karen Bardsley, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead.

“It (was) a ridiculous goal. Just world class,” USWNT coach Jill Ellis said. “She was a true captain (Saturday) I felt for us. (She) worked hard. Her play was inspiring. I think she’s a player that you just gotta have on the pitch in terms of set pieces, in terms of that game-changing moment that she can do.

“I thought she was good. Very good.”

Rapinoe was not about to be outdone. Three minutes later, England’s Steph Houghton scored a free-kick goal. Houghton’s curling shot went to the right of goalie Adrianna Franch.

England took a 2-1 lead early in the second half when Nikita Parris put a shot past Franch.

It was a discouraging goal to give up for the U.S. as it occurred because of a lapse of concentration.

“It’s just frustrating. I felt like there was a lot more in the game for us,” Rapinoe said. “Whether it’s in the game or not, you have to go take it (and) make it happen and finish and stay focused every minute and we didn’t.”

It looked as though Parris’ goal would be enough until Rapinoe’s corner in the 67th minute.

The USWNT has two points through two games of the SheBelieves Cup and sits in third place of the four-team event. Japan and England have four points each and Japan leads on goal difference.

Brazil is in fourth place with zero points.

Japan defeated Brazil 3-1 in the first game on Saturday. Japan scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to seal the game after Brazil scored early in the second half to tie the game at 1.

The SheBelieves Cup concludes on Tuesday in Tampa with Japan playing England and the U.S. playing Brazil.