Watch: Mallory Pugh pulls off stepover, assists on USWNT goal

Crystal Dunn put the U.S. women’s national team ahead early in its Olympic qualifying match against Puerto Rico on Monday night, thanks to a nice setup by 17-year-old Mallory Pugh.

Crystal Dunn put the U.S. women’s national team ahead early in its Olympic qualifying match against Puerto Rico on Monday night, thanks to a nice setup by 17-year-old Mallory Pugh. 

In the sixth minute, Pugh dribbled past a defender on the left wing–pulling off a stepover in the process before turning on the jets–and found Dunn waiting in the box, where she was able to bury a shot into the lower right corner of the net to give the U.S. a 1–0 lead. 

• Watch: Mexico’s Maribel Dominguez scores on bicycle kick

The goal was Dunn’s sixth for the national team and her second of the tournament. 

Pugh, the youngest player to appear for the U.S. in an Olympic qualifier, will turn 18 in April. She will play for UCLA next season.

- Dan Gartland