US Defeat Norway

Monday, 09 March 09, 07:34 PM · Comments(0)

The US played in the last match of group play for the Algarve Cup today against long-time rival, Norway. They were coming in against the US having lost their previous two matches of Group B as they fell to Iceland and Denmark 3-1 and 2-0, respectively.

Although the result of this match would have made no difference to the US, they still fought hard for the win, out-shooting Norway 12-9. Kacey White made a long run down the left flank, played a pass to Amy Rodriguez, who spun around her defender to play the ball to Megan Rapinoe on the right side. Rapinoe cut to her inside, continued inside the box, and ripped a shot that went into the net after hitting the left post in the 23rd minute.

Hope Solo also came up big for the USA once again, earning a second shutout (Nicole Barnhart earned the other shutout against Iceland) in the tournament. In the 18th minute, Kristine Lie took a shot from the left side of the top of the box, that was headed straight or the top right corner. Solo made a fully extended dive to the corner to tip the ball over the crossbar. She punched away the following corner.

Solo on the save: “I believe she struck it on top of the box to my right side. But Mitzy (Heather Mitts) was tracking the player down pretty fast to put pressure on her to get a shot off quickly. The only spot she had to shoot was my upper left. I got a good read on it and moved early.”

In the 33rd minute, the US could have made it 2-0. White sent a looping cross to Rodriguez, who's shot went just wide right.

Solo made another great save in the 83rd minute. Norway's captain, Ingvild Stensland shot a rocket that forced Solo to spring straight up and tip the ball over for a corner kick.

The USA are the only team that has not allowed a goal in the tournament. The back four have had a great tournament thus far, with rookie Kendall Fletcher having had her first cap and full 90-minute game against the Norwegians.

Sweden defeated Germany in a must win match. They will face the US Women in the Algarve Cup 1st place match. Pia Sundhage will coach the USA against her home country once again.

Pia on coaching against Sweden: “Regardless of what you have done before the final, everyone has the feeling of loving to play in the final. I think all 18 are ready to go. The fact that we are playing Sweden makes it a little interesting. I will have my best friend sitting on the other bench (asst. coach Lilly Persson). It would be cool to win that game.”

The final will be on Wednesday, March 9 at 12 pm ET. The match can be followed online on ussoccer.com's Match Tracker.

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