U.S. Starts Strong, Can’t Hold Lead
World champion Norway and Olympic silver medalist China jumped out to a fast start in the sixth Algarve Cup women’s soccer tournament Sunday, each recording victories while the United States managed only a 1-1 tie against Sweden.
China overwhelmed host Portugal, 4-0, in Faro, where, in an earlier game, Australia surprised Denmark--the U.S. team’s first opponent in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup--by holding the Danes to a 1-1 tie.
In Silves, meanwhile, a goal by Marianne Pettersen with less than five minutes remaining earned Norway a 1-0 victory over a stubborn Finland team superbly led by Notre Dame’s Anne Makinen.
The U.S. team was not so lucky. Tiffeny Milbrett’s 48th goal in her 106th international match gave the Americans the lead in the 15th minute, but the U.S. wasted one scoring chance after another and eventually paid the penalty.
The U.S. dominated the first 45 minutes but the Swedes fought back in the second half and grabbed the tying goal in the 76th minute when a crossing pass from Malin Mostrom on the right found Linda Fagerstrom at the far post and Fagerstrom steered the ball into the net with her knee.
The U.S. has not won the Algarve Cup in four previous attempts and Coach Tony DiCicco remained calm in the face of the latest setback.
“I’m happy with pretty much everyone’s play.” he said. “It’s just that we’ve got to put away those chances. But give [Swedish goalkeeper] Ulrika Karlsson credit. She made great saves in each half.
“Overall, I’m not dissatisfied with the performance. I’m disappointed with the result.”
Backup goalkeeper Saskia Webber started in place of Briana Scurry, who has a slight ankle sprain. The U.S. had Joy Fawcett, Carla Overbeck, Kate Sobrero and Lorrie Fair on defense, with Fair reestablishing her claim to the starting role with a solid performance after some less inspired efforts.
“Give them credit,” said DiCicco. “The Swedes are a team of fighters, they’re going to come out and fight for 90 minutes. They did and they got a result from it.”
Said Swedish Coach Marika Lyfors: “We haven’t taken any points from the USA since 1987, I think, so I’m quite happy.”
The eight-nation tournament resumes with four matches Tuesday. The U.S. will face Finland.
