Match

Sweden seemed to have decided that they could not match the U.S. players with an open field game, and played a low pressure defensive style throughout the match. It worked for half the game, but after being scored on they were unable to raise their attacking game because of containment by the dominating USA. A team who were as Germany's coach said "playing at a higher level than any of the other teams in the tournament."

 Post game quotes

USA Head Coach Chris Petrucelli

We talked about how explosive this team was coming into the tournament and that held true with the number of different players that scored. We showed that at any time and anyone on the team was capable of scoring a goal. We had so many different options that it was just difficult to shut us down. We were dominant from the opening whistle of the tournament to the last minute of the Sweden game. I have to credit U.S. Soccer for our outstanding preparation.  The quality of games we played over the last six or seven months was unprecedented for the U-21 team, so when we came to play this tournament we had been through a number of different environments and conditions and we were able to handle anything anyone threw at us.

The core of this group, Jill Oakes, Keely Dowling, Lori Chalupny, Sarah Huffman and Kelly Wilson played on Tracey Leone's National Team who won the First FIFA U-19 World Championship in 2002. They a group of players that know how to win on the big stage, and have proven once again that they are the best in the world for their age.

The defense was just extremely solid the whole tournament. The other teams very rarely broke us down, and on top of that, the defenders did a really good job of setting play for us because all the teams sat back and we had to play-make from the back.

Lori Chalupny

We have very good chemistry in the midfield and all over the field. It's always great to win a tournament of this level and I know some of these players are going to be able to play for the full national team someday.

Keely Dowling

It was really a credit to our overall team defense, starting with our forwards all the way back to Barnie. I think having the experience of the U-19 world championship, we were probably a little more confident coming into the Nordic Cup.  Even when the score was 0-0 late in the half, we weren't panicking.  Having that type of experience under out belts really helped our composure.

Other

The USA has won seven out of the last eight Nordic Cups dating back to 1997 under four different coaches and this one  made it an unprecedented sixth consecutive championship win. It was the second Nordic Cup win for Petrucelli. 

It was first time the USA has won the Nordic Cup without allowing a goal.