WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Megan Rapinoe scored twice and the United States overcame early defensive shakiness to beat Australia 3-1 Monday night in the Americans’ opener at the Women’s World Cup.
Christen Press also scored for the second-ranked U.S., which is seeking its third World Cup title and first since 1999.
Lisa De Vanna had tied the score midway through the first half for Australia, beating controversial American goalkeeper Hope Solo.
“Obviously, we were a bit nervous,” Rapinoe said. “Couldn’t play a lot worse at times.”
U.S. star forward Alex Morgan, sidelined by a bone bruise in her left knee, entered in the 79th minute in her first game action with April 11 with her Portland club.
Rapinoe scored in the 12th minute for the Americans, Press put the U.S. ahead for good in the 61st, and Rapinoe added her 31st international goal in the 78th, the first two-goal game at the World Cup for the Americans since Abby Wambach against Norway in 2007.
The U.S., which won the title in 1991 and ’99, improved to 5-0-2 in World Cup openers and 23-0-2 in all matches against Australia.
In the absence of the 25-year-old Morgan, 35-year-old Wambach and Canada-born Sydney Leroux started up top against the No. 10 Matildas, whose best World Cup finish was sixth in 2007
While the American women have won three straight Olympic gold medals, the third World Cup title has eluded them.
They lost the 2011 final to Japan on penalty kicks.
The field has expanded from 16 teams to 24 this year, and the Americans’ next match in Group D will be Friday against Sweden and former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage.
They finish group play on June 16 against Nigeria, which tied Sweden 3-3 in the opener of Monday’s doubleheader.
The World Cup is being played as FIFA deals with a scandal which U.S. prosecutors allege involves more then $150 million in bribes.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is not at the tournament, announced last week that he plans to resign.
Controversy also hangs over the U.S. team.
Solo started a day after an ESPN report revealed new details about her arrest last June in Washington state on domestic violence charges.
The U.S. team has defended Solo in the face of the allegations.
The charges were dismissed by a Kirkland, Washington, judge earlier this year, but prosecutors told ESPN there is an appeal scheduled.
“That was a long time ago. I’ll be honest, we’ve moved on,” coach Jill Ellis. “She’s been a fantastic player and teammate. None of that has even resonated with us, and I’m sure many of the players aren’t aware of it.”
Solo was tested in the fifth minute, when she tipped Emily Van Egmond’s shot off the crossbar and over.
She made another save in the 13th.
Rapinoe’s kick from the top of the penalty area deflected off Australia’s Laura Alleway past goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
But De Vanna tied it when she facing off with Solo and slotted the ball inside the near post for her 36th goal in 100th international appearance.
Press scored off a cross from Leroux in the 61st minute.
When Press was subbed off seven minutes later she was given a hearty ovation from the crowd of 31,148, which overwhelmingly sided with the Americans.
It was her first career World Cup goal.
The women’s team is set to play Sweden on Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m. local time.
