Game

Scoring three goals in the first thirty minutes meant that the U.S. U-21 National Team could relax since the Finland team formed a defensive bunker to try to avert any more scoring by the dominating USA squad. The U.S. coach used all five of his substitutes in the second half.

Post match quotes

Head Coach Chris Petrucelli

It was a solid performance, especially in that we started the game well. We had talked about starting fast and then we scored seven or eight minutes into the game. We accomplished a couple of things in this match. We got the three points, certainly helped our goal difference with the three goals, got a number of players rest and got some solid minutes for the reserves.

It was good to get Tasha (her 10th goal of 2004) on track and scoring goals.

Joanna Lohman

One of the main points was getting a quick start and pressuring them to get an early goal. We wanted to pressure their backs to see if they could handle it.

U.S. goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart

We did a good job of creating chances and defensively, we basically keep them in front of us and minimized their chances. It was kind of tough with the wind swirling around, but this was a good opening game for us to get our legs under us.