Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The U.S. women's soccer team edged Brazil, 1-0, yesterday in the Peace Queen Cup in Suwon, South Korea, on a goal by forward Amy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez scored in the 41st minute, lifting the Americans to a 2-0 record heading to tomorrow's match with Italy. Abby Wambach ran down a ball in the deep left corner of the field and was hauled down by Brazilian defender Daniela. Aly Wagner took the free kick from just a few yards in front of the corner flag and her low service to the near post fell in the middle of several players. Rodriguez sent a point-blank shot from almost no angle high toward the near goalpost. Goalkeeper Barbara stuck up a hand, but could only palm the ball into the upper left corner of the net.

Rodriguez got her fourth international goal, and it came on the Americans' first shot of the game and only shot of the first half.

"I thought the first half was just a battle, so we changed the style and formation" in the second half, U.S. Coach Pia Sundhage said. "We didn't play well attacking [in the first half], although the defending was good. I am very proud with the way we turned it around. We changed so many players and that is difficult for a team coming into the second half, but I think we played better."

Sundhage made three changes at halftime, sending on Heather O'Reilly to replace Wagner, who had started her first match in about eight months; Rachel Buehler to replace captain Christie Rampone (ankle injury); and Stephanie Cox to replace Lori Chalupny.

It was the first meeting between the United States and Brazil since the 2007 Women's World Cup semifinal, a 4-0 Brazil victory.

-- From News Services