U.S. Women Look Their Best to Brazil
The U.S. women’s soccer team didn’t let Brazil spoil its sendoff to Sydney. As if anything could.
In their last tuneup before the Olympics and the first test without Michelle Akers, the Americans defeated their South American rival, 4-0, on Friday.
“I’ve got no complaints,” U.S. Coach April Heinrichs said. “I think it’s the perfect tuneup game for us. They bring out the best in us. At the same time, they’re dangerous. We took a risk playing Brazil 13 days before Sydney.”
Mia Hamm scored twice and captain Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett added goals before 26,853 fans at Spartan Stadium, a sellout crowd and the largest to watch the U.S. play this year.
“This team has worked really hard,” Hamm said. “A game like this has to make us feel good.”
The U.S. has defeated Brazil in eight consecutive matches (7-0-1) dating to 1997, including the semifinal of the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Shannon McMillan set up Foudy’s goal in the 13th minute, her cross from the right side finding Foudy in a crowd just outside the box. Foudy headed it past the outstretched hands of diving goalkeeper Andreia.
Fawcett made it 2-0 in the 59th minute by deflecting a shot on goal by Lorrie Fair from the top of the box and Hamm capped the scoring with two goals three minutes apart.
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John Doyle and Ian Russell scored goals two minutes apart in the game’s first four minutes and Wojtek Krakowiak scored in second-half injury time as the San Jose Earthquakes dealt the Columbus Crew a devastating blow to its Major League Soccer playoff hopes with a 3-0 victory.
