U.S. Medal Hopes End in 3-2 Loss to Norway

The U.S. women’s soccer team has won two world championships and gold and silver medals at the Olympic Games, but there’s a tournament in Portugal that causes it nothing but grief.

The annual Algarve Cup did so again on Tuesday, when the Americans were knocked out of medal contention, surrendering a goal in the final five minutes and losing to Norway, 3-2, in Lagos, Portugal.

That sent the Norwegians into Thursday’s championship game against China and consigned the U.S. to a fifth-place game against Denmark. The Americans have won the 12-nation Algarve Cup only once in seven attempts.

Shannon MacMillan scored both U.S. goals Tuesday, extending her scoring streak to four games, but defensive errors led to the team’s downfall.

MacMillan had given the U.S. the lead on a tremendous 30-yard shot in the 14th minute, but goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene fouled Norway’s Monica Knudsen, and Hege Riise tied it on the resulting penalty kick in the 23rd minute.

Six minutes later, Beene miss-kicked a back pass by U.S. defender Cat Reddick and the ball fell to Dagny Mellgren, who steered it into the open net to put Norway on top.

MacMillan made it 2-2 when she scored her 43rd international goal off a pass from Kristine Lilly 15 minutes into the second half, but the U.S. was unable to hang on to the tie.

In the 85th minute, Linda Ormen’s cross from the right wing bounced off a U.S. defender’s shin and the ball rebounded to Solveig Gulbrandsen, who scored from seven yards out.

It was Norway’s fourth consecutive victory over the defending world champions since its 3-2 triumph in the gold medal game at the Sydney Olympics.