US Ladies Claim Group B

by Greg Seltzer - September 18, 2007

 
▪ US Ladies Blank Sweden

The US Women's National Team made a first minute Lori Chalupny marker stand up for a 1-0 win over Nigeria at a damp Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium on Tuesday.

▪ Cat Leads and Follows
▪ MLS Weekend Review
 

The win earned the Lady 'Nats first place in Group B and a quarterfinal date with England in Tianjin on Saturday (7:55 am ET on espn2).

The Americans got the only goal they would end up needing mere seconds after kickoff as Abby Wambach nodded a Cat Whitehill throw in for Chalupny, whose shot deflected in off a Nigeria defender. The strike was the second fastest from the start of a game in Women's World Cup history.

The USWNT came close to doubling their advantage a few times in the opening period, with Lilly sending a pair of free kicks just a bit too high and Wambach having a 43rd minute header tipped over.

Nigeria were only able to muster two shots on target all game long, but forced US keeper Hope Solo into a victory saving stop with five minute remaining. Rita Chikwelu nodded a far post cross downward, but the Washington native was alert on both the initial block and the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Scoring
USA - Lori Chalupny 1 (Abby Wambach) 1'

Line-ups
USA - Hope Solo; Christie Rampone (Tina Ellertson 77'), Kate Markgraf, Cat Whitehill, Stephanie Lopez, Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny, Carli Lloyd (Leslie Osborne 64'), Heather O'Reilly, Abby Wambach, Kristine Lilly (Lindsay Tarpley 84')

NGA - Precious Dede; Christie George, Faith Ikidi, Ulumma Jerome, Lilian Cole, Efioanwan Ekpo, Stella Mbachu, Rita Chikwelu, Chi-Chi Igbo (Ifeanyi Chiejine 22'), Perpetua Nkwocha, Cynthia Uwak (Ogonna Chukwudi 83')

  • Home
  • News
    • Stateside
    • Europe
  • Match Reports
    • Stateside
    • Europe
  • Free Kicks
  • Special Features
  • About
  • Contact