Match

The U.S. new 4-4-2 lineup was ideal for a typical muggy summer day in Minnesota. They were able to conserve their energy with a defensive waiting game, and using their dominating play for speedy counter attacks. The result was three goals that put Norway out of the match within the first thirty minutes. Milbrett’s superbly accurate crosses and opportunistic goal resulted in her being named as the Chevrolet Woman of the Match.

Several veteran members returned from long absences from the National Team in the second half. A physically fit Brianna Scurry looked at the top of her game with a convincing performance. Her strong kicking skills and experienced match mentality were wonderful to see again.She has a strong goalkeeping presence reminiscent of Mary Harvey in the 1991 FIFA World Cup.

Mia Hamm, although not yet one hundred per cent physically, excited the crowd with her intensity of purpose and as usual was in the right place to clean up a rebound in the goal mouth and drive it into the top of the net.

Post game quotes

U.S. National Team April Heinrichs

We had two days of training time and we went with a totally new system. We're real proud of the players and they played smart soccer. We tried to get all the players the greatest opportunity for playing time and you saw a lot of players did well today. You saw a lot of players that are competing for playing time with us.

Game MVP Tiffeny Milbrett

I always love coming back to the national team, especially when we have so much time in between international games during the WUSA season. I love pulling the USA jersey back on and it's always a really proud time and a proud moment to be able to try to do what you can do for the crowd.

Other

The U.S. players will regroup again in September as they look towards the 2002 Nike U.S. Women's Cup. CONCACAF qualifying for the 2003 Women's World Cup will take place from October 27 to November 9 at four venues on the west coast of the United States.