US team wins against Sweden: Abby Wambach scores the two goals

In the ongoing Women’s World Cup in China USA beat Sweden by 2 goals and cemented their place in the tournament. The next Tuesday, the team will face Nigeria in the final group-B match. Winning this match will ensure their advance in the super eight group. Striker Abby Wambach scored both the goals for her team. The Canadian Press reports:

Playing with a sore toe and stitches in her head doesn't seem to bother Abby Wambach.

The star U.S. striker scored both goals Friday in a 2-0 victory over Sweden in the women's World Cup. She now has three in two games here, and the win puts the top-ranked Americans in good position to make the quarter-finals.

Wambach converted a penalty in the 34th minute, and scored a textbook goal in the 58th, settling a long ball on her chest from Kristine Lilly and then driving a left-footed half-volley past Sweden keeper Hedvig Lindahl from 15 yards out.

The US team needed this win because earlier, they made a draw with the North Korea. For Sweden, to advance in the next stage, they need to win the next match with North Korea.

Wambach however, praised her fellow striker for her success. Wambach scored 80 goals in 98 games for the US National team. The US team also won the world cup two times: in 1999 and 1991.

Related article:

Canadian Press

Women’s World Cup 2007: Schedule of USA

USA is one of the big powers of Women’s football. They are also the most successful football team in the history of women’s world cup football. They won the Women’s world cup title twice in the history. USA won the first women’s world cup title in 1991. USA is the only football playing country in the women’s football who never missed semi final appearance in any world cup tournament. USA’s least performance in world cup is third place.

So, you can easily understand that how much dominance USA has in women’s football. USA has presented some legendary footballers in Women’s football. Now, ahead of the upcoming Women’s World Cup 2007, USA must be determined to win their third world cup title. USA players can be inspired thinking the fact that USA won their first world cup in China and they are again in China for the Women’s world cup 2007.

USA will play in Group B where they have to face North Korea, Sweden and Nigeria. So, I think, the main battle will be between USA and Sweden. However, USA should not have any problem to qualify easily for the next round from this group.

Group B

Date	Competing Teams	Venues
11-9-2007	USA vs North Korea	Chengdu Sports Center
14-9-2007	USA vs Sweden	Chengdu Sports Center
18-9-2007	USA vs Nigeria	Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium

USA squad has some experienced and high profile players who have already proved themselves in international matches. The squad includes five players who have more than 100 match experience. So, it would be really very hard for the other big contenders to stop USA in China. Now, let us see if USA players can win their third women’s world cup title in China.

Fifa Women’s World Cup 2007: USA Squa

You already know that Fifa Women’s World Cup is going to be held in China from 10 September. This will be the fifth women’s world cup tournament and for the second time China will host women’s world cup. China hosted the first Fifa Women’s World Cup football tournament in 1991. Germany is the reigning champion of the tournament. However, USA is the most successful team in the history of women’s world cup.

USA won the first women’s world cup in 1991 in China. USA is the only team who has won the women’s world cup twice in the history. USA is the only team who never missed semi-final in any world cup tournaments. Moreover, USA never finished any women’s world cup without winning at least third place. In the last four Women’s world cup tournaments, USA won the title twice and won third place in other two times.

USA coach Greg Ryan has recently unveiled the 21 member world cup squad. The squad includes some veteran members of USA women’s soccer team as well as some young players. First I have to say about women’s football legend Kristine Lilly who appeared for USA in 330 international matches which is a record for both men’s and women’s football. Kristine Lilly played for USA since 1987 when she was just 16. Kristine Lilly never missed any matches of women’s world cup and Olympic Games for USA. This excellent midfielder is expected to lead USA in their third world cup victory. Besides Lilly, there are five women footballer who have experience of playing more than 100 international matches for USA including defender Cat Whitehill (113), goal keeper Briana Scurry (163), defender Christie Rampone (167), defender Kate Markgraf (162) and midfielder Aly Wagner (112).

Now, if you think that USA squad is filled up with some old players then I would like to inform you that there are 10 footballers who have experience of playing less than 50 matches. Defender Marian Dalmy played just 2 matches yet and goal keeper Nicole Barnhart played just 3 matches for USA in international football. So, USA squad for the coming Women’s World Cup 2007 seems balanced and strong to win their third world cup title in the history of women’s world cup 2007.

USA is one of the strongest contenders of women’s world cup 2007 along with Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Latin powers Brazil and Argentina. USA will play in Group B where they have to face North Korea, Nigeria and Sweden. It should not be very hard for USA to qualify for the quarter final stage as the champion of the group. USA players must be determined to win their win the women’s world cup 2007 trophy. In terms of their strength it is very possible for USA women’s football team.

I am giving the names of the players of USA women’s world cup squad below:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart (2007), Briana Scurry (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007), Hope Solo (2007);
DEFENDERS (6): Marian Dalmy (2007), Tina Ellertson (2007), Stephanie Lopez (2007), Kate Markgraf (1999, 2003, 2007), Christie Rampone (1999, 2003, 2007), Cat Whitehill (2003, 2007);
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (2003, 2007), Lori Chalupny (2007), Angela Hucles (2003, 2007), Marci Jobson (2007), Carli Lloyd (2007), Leslie Osborne (2007), Aly Wagner (2003, 2007);
FORWARDS (5): Natasha Kai (2007), Kristine Lilly (1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007), Heather O’Reilly (2007), Lindsay Tarpley (2007), Abby Wambach (2003, 2007).

Source:

US Soccer

Wikipedia