Games

Apparently copying Canada¹s approach China continually played a ³long ball game² into the defensive third, but Chastain and Fawcett won the air balls and ran down anything that went over their heads. Outside backs Reddick and Sobrero also played an excellent game. U.S. goalkeeper Scurry was excellent coming out of her goal to handle the long balls and made three saves in picking up her 60th career shutout.

After a closely fought first half with few shots seen and solid defense by both teams, the U.S. came out bubbling in the second half. With just seven minutes gone the old guard, Hamm and McMillan, performed. They assisted each other in scoring two goals in the next four minutes and putting the game out of reach.

It was the USA and U.S. National Team Head Coach Heinrichs¹ second Algarve Cup title.

Post game quotes

U.S. National Team Head Coach Heinrichs

Tonight's performance from start to finish was phenomenal. Every player was tied into our tactical scheme and was committed to playing the way the coaching staff asked them to play. Every player was allowed to be a personality within our system and they absolutely stepped up. We played a different system, and we wanted to sit back in a low-pressure style and explode out of that.

Obviously people want to pay attention to our attacking personalities, but I'll tell you what, Brandi Chastain and Joy Fawcett were two of our most valuable players for the second tournament in a row. Joy's consistency and mentality is the best of all the players on our team.

I really thought either team could win it until it was 2-0, even though that is certainly not a safe lead against China. But with the way we were playing, with the system we were playing and with the veteran leadership on the field, I felt secure with the 2-0 lead.

Mia Hamm

We were able to get that goal early in the half and then the second one right after, and it took some of the spirit out China, but we never expected China to give up and they didn't. We are very happy with the win. To play four games in seven days, and to end with the second half that we did, especially against a Chinese team that is extremely talented, was great for us. But I have to hand it to our defense. They played great the entire tournament and today was no different. They just played phenomenally and that allowed us in midfield and up top to take a few more chances.

Other

Captain Julie Foudy and Fawcett played all 90 minutes in all four matches over the seven days. Th U.S. players, except for UNC students Reddick and Tarpley, and high school senior Heather O'Reilly, go back to re-join their WUSA clubs.