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U.S. Women Defeat China, 1-0, in Exhibition
China's Steel Roses held the U.S. off successfully until the second half, when the speed and athleticism of Amy Rodriguez and Tina Ellertson proved too much for the visitors.
Dec 13, 2008 11:57:57 PM
CARSON, Calif. - The U.S. women came up against a tough and worthy opponent, China, in
their post-Olympic exhibition tour, but prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal
by an unlikely source - former defender Tina Ellertson.
The Chinese squad held the U.S. scoreless all through the first half, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, though Ellertson's speed caused the Chinese defenders problems. However, the cohesion among the U.S. squad was lacking. The well-organized Chinese defense kept the U.S. from breaking through.
The U.S. was reduced to taking outside shots. The closest of these was by Carli Lloyd in the 9th minute, which goalkeeper Zhang Yanru pushed to one side.
It was clear, however, that the team was unused to working with Ellertson as a forward. It was a role she played in college for Washington, but for the national team, Ellertson had always been a defender. She missed the Olympics, however, due to the birth of her second child, daughter Mya.
When she returned for the latest camp, coach Pia Sundhage decided to try Ellertson on the offensive side of things.
"I found out two days ago; Pia said, 'Go play with the forwards'," Ellertson explained after the match. "So I took off my defender hat and put on my forward cap."
The rust was obvious, though, as Ellertson's runs too often caught her offside.
In the second half, however, sparkplug Amy Rodriguez made the difference for the U.S. She came at the start of the second half and immediately made an impact with her speed.
"I had so much fun," said the energetic forward, who is expected to be the top pick in the January draft for Women's Professional Soccer. "These are the girls who I won the gold medal with and it was great to be out there with them again.
In the 6nd minute, Rodriguez beat the Chinese defense with a run up the left side, centering the ball with a precise cross into the box that Ellertson out-slid her defender to reach and redirect to the back of the net for her first-ever national team tally.
The pace of the game picked up considerably as China abandoned their defensive shell and had the better of play for several stretches in which the threatedned the U.S. goal. However, goalkeeper Hope Solo was up the challange and turned away every opportunity to preserve the lead for U.S.
Besides the cheer after the goal, the biggest roar raised in the second half from the crowd of over 3,600 was for the entrance of Kristine Lilly into the match for her 341st international cap.
"My touch is ok," said the veteran player, "I'm still getting my strength back. By the time the league rolls around, I should be ready."
Sundhage praised China, who she used to coach. "China is very technical," said Sundhage. "We need to learn from that."
The national team coach was looking forward to the player development that the new league would bring. "The league will be fantastic," Sundhage said. "They will play with other players from around the world and that will be very good for them."
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 2-Heather Mitts, 3-Christie Rampone – capt., 4-Rachel Buehler (15-Kate Markgraf, 46), 17-Lori Chalupny (19-Marian Dalmy, 71); 9-Heather O’Reilly (21-Kacey White, 71), 7-Shannon Boxx, 11-Carli Lloyd, 16-Angela Hucles (13-Kristine Lilly, 55); 20-Tina Ellertson (12-Lauren Cheney, 77), 5-Lindsay Tarpley (8-Amy Rodriguez, 46)
Subs not used: 18-Nicole Barnhart, 22-Briana Scurry
Head Coach: Pia Sundhage
CHN: 1-Zhang Yanru; 15-Zhou Gaoping, 5-Weng Xin Zhi, 2-Yuan Fan, 14-Liu Hua Na (19-Gao Yan, 76); 12-Wang Dan Dan (3-Zhang Ying, 68), 6-Zhang Na, 7-Bi Yan - capt.; 8-Xu Yuan (10-Liu Sa, 46), 9-Han Duan (4-Wang Kun, 80), 11-Lou Jiahui (17-Gu Ya Sha, 46)
Subs not used: 16-Zhang Rui, 18-Weng Xiaojie
Head Coach: Shang Ruihua
--Andrea Canales, Goal.com
The Chinese squad held the U.S. scoreless all through the first half, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, though Ellertson's speed caused the Chinese defenders problems. However, the cohesion among the U.S. squad was lacking. The well-organized Chinese defense kept the U.S. from breaking through.
The U.S. was reduced to taking outside shots. The closest of these was by Carli Lloyd in the 9th minute, which goalkeeper Zhang Yanru pushed to one side.
It was clear, however, that the team was unused to working with Ellertson as a forward. It was a role she played in college for Washington, but for the national team, Ellertson had always been a defender. She missed the Olympics, however, due to the birth of her second child, daughter Mya.
When she returned for the latest camp, coach Pia Sundhage decided to try Ellertson on the offensive side of things.
"I found out two days ago; Pia said, 'Go play with the forwards'," Ellertson explained after the match. "So I took off my defender hat and put on my forward cap."
The rust was obvious, though, as Ellertson's runs too often caught her offside.
In the second half, however, sparkplug Amy Rodriguez made the difference for the U.S. She came at the start of the second half and immediately made an impact with her speed.
"I had so much fun," said the energetic forward, who is expected to be the top pick in the January draft for Women's Professional Soccer. "These are the girls who I won the gold medal with and it was great to be out there with them again.
In the 6nd minute, Rodriguez beat the Chinese defense with a run up the left side, centering the ball with a precise cross into the box that Ellertson out-slid her defender to reach and redirect to the back of the net for her first-ever national team tally.
The pace of the game picked up considerably as China abandoned their defensive shell and had the better of play for several stretches in which the threatedned the U.S. goal. However, goalkeeper Hope Solo was up the challange and turned away every opportunity to preserve the lead for U.S.
Besides the cheer after the goal, the biggest roar raised in the second half from the crowd of over 3,600 was for the entrance of Kristine Lilly into the match for her 341st international cap.
"My touch is ok," said the veteran player, "I'm still getting my strength back. By the time the league rolls around, I should be ready."
Sundhage praised China, who she used to coach. "China is very technical," said Sundhage. "We need to learn from that."
The national team coach was looking forward to the player development that the new league would bring. "The league will be fantastic," Sundhage said. "They will play with other players from around the world and that will be very good for them."
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 2-Heather Mitts, 3-Christie Rampone – capt., 4-Rachel Buehler (15-Kate Markgraf, 46), 17-Lori Chalupny (19-Marian Dalmy, 71); 9-Heather O’Reilly (21-Kacey White, 71), 7-Shannon Boxx, 11-Carli Lloyd, 16-Angela Hucles (13-Kristine Lilly, 55); 20-Tina Ellertson (12-Lauren Cheney, 77), 5-Lindsay Tarpley (8-Amy Rodriguez, 46)
Subs not used: 18-Nicole Barnhart, 22-Briana Scurry
Head Coach: Pia Sundhage
CHN: 1-Zhang Yanru; 15-Zhou Gaoping, 5-Weng Xin Zhi, 2-Yuan Fan, 14-Liu Hua Na (19-Gao Yan, 76); 12-Wang Dan Dan (3-Zhang Ying, 68), 6-Zhang Na, 7-Bi Yan - capt.; 8-Xu Yuan (10-Liu Sa, 46), 9-Han Duan (4-Wang Kun, 80), 11-Lou Jiahui (17-Gu Ya Sha, 46)
Subs not used: 16-Zhang Rui, 18-Weng Xiaojie
Head Coach: Shang Ruihua
--Andrea Canales, Goal.com
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