Associated Press
Sunday, July 6, 2008

Carli Lloyd scored on a deflected shot in the 39th minute yesterday to give the United States a 1-0 victory over host Sweden in a women's Olympic tuneup.

Lloyd dribbled past three defenders inside the box, then fired a low left-footed shot that glanced off Sara Thunebro's leg and past goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

The victory was the United States' 20th straight this year, including one on penalty kicks over Canada in the final of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.

Lloyd was grateful for her good fortune.

"Yeah, it was a deflection, but it's always exciting to score a goal," said Lloyd, who also scored in the Americans' 4-0 victory over Norway three days earlier. "I just wanted to help the team win."

The first match between the two countries in Sweden gave the Americans their 16th win in 25 meetings. Sweden has won five with four draws.

"Sweden has a great team, they played us tough," Lloyd said. "This game was very important. We're working towards the Olympics. We want to get that gold."

Sweden, ranked third by FIFA and among the Olympic favorites along with the defending champion United States, had two scoring chances late in the first half and another early in the second thwarted by goalkeeper Hope Solo.

The United States next plays Brazil on July 13 near Denver, and July 16 at San Diego before heading to China.

Steven Lenhart scored a game-tying goal in the 87th minute to cap Columbus's comeback from a two-goal deficit and give the Crew a 2-2 draw with the visiting Chicago Fire.

Chris Rolfe and Calen Carr scored first-half goals for Chicago (6-5-3), which is winless in its past five games.

Emmanuel Ekpo scored in the 36th minute to cut the lead in half for the Crew (8-4-3).

Chicago captain Cuauhtémoc Blanco dropped a high pass into the penalty area that Justin Mapp blasted off the goal post with his right foot from 12 yards. The ball caromed into the path of Rolfe, whose forceful header from 15 yards out put Chicago on top in the eighth minute.

· CHIVAS USA 1, EARTHQUAKES 0: Ante Razov scored on a free kick in the 88th minute as Chivas defeated San Jose in Carson, Calif. The win boosted Chivas to the top of the Western Conference standings.