U.S. Prevails Over Brazil, 1-0

Two defensive lapses by Brazil gave Tiffeny Milbrett one scoring chance too many.

Milbrett’s hard volley in the 90th minute lifted the United States women to a 1-0 victory on Sunday as the Brazilians lost for the first time in four international matches this year.

The goal redeemed a missed opportunity only nine minutes earlier for Milbrett, who put a shot over the crossbar from 12 yards out after Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia had gone down after misplaying the ball at the top of the penalty area. That left Milbrett with only two scrambling defenders to beat.

“That was definitely something I would want back, but I knew the defender was coming back and I had to get a low, hard shot and I didn’t get it low enough,” Milbrett said.

When Milbrett found a bouncing ball at her feet in the final minute, she pounded a low shot into the right corner so hard that Andreia didn’t have time to react.

“I just took a step and hit it. It just felt good. You know when you hit it good,” Milbrett said.

The victory improved the U.S. record to 9-1-3 in international play this year with two exhibitions left before this fall’s Women’s World Cup.

“Either team could have won today.... We learned a lot watching them and learned a lot playing against them,” U.S. Coach April Heinrichs said.

Brazil forward Pretinha, who plays for San Jose in the Women’s United Soccer Assn., went down after a collision with Kate Sobrero in the 25th minute and had to be carried off the field. Brazil Coach Paulo Goncalves said Pretinha was taken to a hospital for X-rays on her right knee.

“We cannot say it was a bad result for us, because the Americans are a very strong team,” said Goncalves, who started five teenagers. “I think the World Cup will be different because we’ll have time to prepare this team.”

The match was the last for the U.S. team before Heinrichs trims her roster to 20 players for the World Cup.

The next exhibition for the U.S. team is Sept. 1 against Costa Rica at the Home Depot Center.