U.S. Women Lose to China

Goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo, playing in only her second game for the U.S. women’s national soccer team, made a handful of excellent saves but could not prevent Han Duan from scoring a last-minute goal as China defeated the U.S., 1-0, in front of 10,000 fans at Yingdong Stadium in Punyu, China, on Thursday.

The result means that the U.S. is 11-7-8 all-time against China but has not defeated the Chinese in the last five games. The U.S. won on penalty kicks after a scoreless tie in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final at the Rose Bowl and the teams tied, 1-1, at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

“Right now, the process is more important than the result,” said U.S. Coach April Heinrichs, who said she was “committed to playing several players regardless of the score.”

The American team was captained by defender Kate Sobrero and included three players who made their U.S. debut: midfielder Jenny Benson of Huntington Beach and forwards Stephanie Rigamat of La Crescenta and Meredith Florance of Dallas.

“I’m thrilled for these players and this team,” Heinrichs said. “They played inspiring soccer. They went after China and we were under a great deal of pressure, but still found a way to be zero-zero with one minute left.”

China’s Coach Ma Yaunan said his team was “fortunate” to win the game.

“We have played the USA many times and have lost most of the games, but today we were lucky,” he said. “We learn much from the USA as far as their aggression and fighting spirit.

The teams play again Sunday in Hangzhou.