USA rebounds to take third in Women's World Cup

30.09.2007 15:00 Sport and Travel - Source: USA Today

That's what the U.S. women's soccer team will take home after a goal-filled evening in Shanghai.

Abby Wambach scored two goals, and Lori Chalupny and Heather O'Reilly each scored a goal to lead the United States to a 4-1 victory vs. Norway on Sunday in the third-place game.

The U.S. team, distracted by the expulsion of goalkeeper Hope Solo, pulled together three days after a humiliating 4-0 semifinal loss to Brazil that ended a 51-game winning streak.

"I feel like in this tournament — from the time I came for the draw — the U.S. was behind the eight-ball, because we had a very difficult group," said head coach Greg Ryan. "I felt like each game was so under the gun. Each match became an elimination match for us."

"Tonight I was so happy the players completely relaxed and played some great soccer, some entertaining football."

After almost three weeks and six games, the battered, sutured, distracted and finally victorious U.S. women breathed a sign of relief at the final whistle. With four wins, one loss and a tie, the team can now regroup and prepare for another big tournament in China, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

History is on their side. Since women's soccer debuted in the 1996 Atlanta Games, the U.S. women have won the Olympic gold-medal round twice after settling for third in the preceding World Cup.

Wambach got the scoring started in the 30th minute on a corner kick set play. She followed up 16 minutes later when Norway goalkeeper Bente Norby let a shot bounce off her chest and into Wambach's waiting boot.

Chalupny barely gave the Norweigans time to catch their breath before she deflected a pass off her leg past Norby.

Norway finally got on the scoreboard in the 63rd minute when Ragnhild Gulbrandsen scored off a corner kick.

Under their deal with the U.S. Soccer Federation, individual players will receive a $10,000 bonus for their efforts Sunday. Had they won the World Cup, the check would have been for $50,000.

Because the United States did not win the tournament, there won't be a 10-game Victory Tour that could have brought in even more money.

The game was a welcome respite from the controversy that erupted after the loss to Brazil.

That loss was the worst for Team USA in World Cup history, prompting Solo — who was benched for the game and replaced by veteran Briana Scurry — to openly criticize Ryan for not playing her and to seemingly question Scurry's ability. That drew the ire of veteran players.

Despite an apology to the team, Ryan excluded Solo for the Norway match, putting her future with the national team in doubt. She did not attend the game, but team officials said Sunday she remained in China.

Ryan said the matter was being handled "internally" and did not say if Solo would return with the team.

Cat Whitehill, Solo's former roommate, said she had forgiven Solo, and she thought her teammates had, too.

"Anything is possible," Whitehill said. "We know what a great goalkeeper Hope is. She proved it during this World Cup. She's a good friend of mine, and I hope she will be able to do it."

Whitehill said switching goalkeepers was not the problem, but what followed was.

"There was a lot of emotions going into that Brazil game. There was just a lot going on, and we didn't handle it well," she said. "It was just handling the pressure that came with it, the semifinal game, listening to the media talk about the goalkeepers. There were a lot of surrounding things."

Ryan's unusual move — Solo was unscored on in almost 300 minutes in four World Cup games — also puts his future in doubt. Ryan's contract expires at year's end, and he said after the match he wants to continue.

Sunday's World Cup game likely will be the last international appearance for 36-year-old Lilly, the only player to have played in all five Women's World Cups. She said she has not decided if she will play in the 2008 Olympics.

Defender Kate Markgraf missed the game with a leg injury, replaced by Marian Dalmy. Aly Wagner also started at midfield, replacing Shannon Boxx who picked up a red card against Brazil and was suspended for the game.

There was one small symbolic gesture when Lilly came off the field in the 89th minute and gave a hug and her green captain's armband to Scurry.

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Contributing: Wires

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