U.S. Women Win Title, 1-0

Lindsay Tarpley’s unassisted golden goal in the 109th minute gave the United States a 1-0 victory Sunday over host Canada in the inaugural FIFA Under-19 women’s world championship title match at Edmonton, Canada.

The game winner, in front of 47,784 at Commonwealth Stadium, was made possible by a relentless Tarpley on a broken play at the mouth of the Canadian goal.

“I just know we kept trying to plug away and find different ways to score and we finally put it in the back of the net,” Tarpley said.

Megan Kakadelas began the play with a cross pass from the left wing to Heather O’Reilly, who directed the ball into the middle of the penalty area to an oncoming Tarpley.

A Canadian defender rejected Tarpley’s first touch but she was able to regain control and her shot sailed past Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod and into the left side of the net.

It was the sixth goal of the tournament for Tarpley, the U.S. captain and North Carolina freshman, and she finished third in tournament scoring.

The U.S., which finished the tournament with a 6-0 record, scored 26 goals and gave up two. Both were tournament-best marks.

In the consolation match, Germany defeated Brazil, 4-3, on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie.

Lazio Fans Rampage

Hooliganism reared its ugly head outside of Rome’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday, but not because of a loss on the field. Fans of Lazio were upset at a loss taken by their favorite team’s roster.

Three police cars were set on fire, three rival fans were stabbed and stadium offices were ransacked during a rampage that was fueled by the announced transfer of the team’s top stars--captain Alessandro Nesta to AC Milan and Argentine striker Hernan Crespo to Inter Milan.

While stadium officials estimated $200,000 worth of damage, only one Lazio fan was arrested (on charges of pillage and devastation) and others were under investigation for their respective parts in the ruckus, which began outside of the stadium after the “friendly” 2-2 tie between hometown Lazio and league champion Juventus.

Junior Sidelined

The acquisition of Nesta made the loss of Roque Junior a tad more palpable for AC Milan.

Junior, a Brazilian defender who helped lead his country to the World Cup championship in June, will be sidelined for three months after shoulder surgery, the Italian club announced.

Playing for AC Milan, Junior injured the shoulder in an aerial collision against Slovan Liberac on Aug. 14 in a Champions League qualifier. Junior was initially diagnosed and treated in Milan but, at his request, underwent surgery in Brazil.

A Fast Start

While Real Madrid fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of Brazilian striker Ronaldo, Valencia began its Spanish league title defense with a 2-0 victory at Mallorca.

Valencia, which won its first championship in 31 years last season, got goals from Uruguayan midfielder Gonzalo de Los Santos and Spanish international Ruben Baraja.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, opens league play today against Espanyol at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, three days after winning the European Super Cup in Monaco over Feyenoord, 3-1.

Ronaldo is expected to be at the game, but not play, after his $46.3-million transfer from Inter Millan.