Game

The U.S. came out strong, fast and aggressive and after many scoring opportunities Parlow’s header off a MacMillan corener kick. Within four minutes Lingor played Muller through to equalize. The pressure of the game dropped for the rest of the first half, and Germany had a few chances but were unable to convert.

CHICAGO (Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001) - The U.S. Women's National Team scored three second-half goals and stormed to a 4-1 victory over Germany in the team's opening match of the 2001 Nike U.S. Women's Cup. World international scoring leader Mia Hamm led the way for the U.S., scoring two goals and an assist. Cindy Parlow and Tiffeny Milbrett also added goals.

The substitution of Cramer and Kluegal at the start of the second half raised the team’s game immediately, and we were able to see the future of the U.S. women’s game as they supplied the support that the veteran players needed.

The USA dominated the second half and in the first six minutes had gone ahead with

A fine chip by Milbrett over the goalie after an excellent through ball over the defense by Hamm. The ball was already over the line before the German defense miskicked it into the top of the net. Hamm put the USA into a commanding position in just two minutes of play with two goals in the 72nd and 73rd minutes. Both were opportunistic with Hamm running in on a poorly made German backpass and putting it in from 14 yards for the first one, and running onto a Foudy’s header inside the box and beating Rottenberg to the ball.

The young substituted U.S. players all looked solid and added some speed to the squad, their overall skill level would suggest that they will be putting playing time pressure on some of the veteran players like MacMillan with more limited dimensions to their game.

Post game quotes

Head Coach April Heinrichs

I'm very pleased with our younger players, they are knocking on the door and earning respect. You saw Aleisha Cramer step in and have a tremendous impact in the second half. The hit that Jena Kluegel took today, I thought she was done. But she wanted to come back in.

The last thing I said to Mia before the game was take risks, take . You have my permission. Don't be afraid. Go after it. Take every risk you want to take. Not only did she take some risks but she played freely. She played inspired. If Mia wants it, she's primed to play her best soccer ever. And I think we're starting to see a little glimpse of that, and we'll build on it.

Mia Hamm

We've got some tough soccer competition in this tournament against soccer playing countries with a lot of pride, so we knew we had to play our best. When you play a team like Germany or China you can't have lapses. We knew we had to play for the full 90 minutes. Germany likes to play through the back, so we tried to put a lot of pressure on them throughout the game. On the goal it was just a bad back pass and I was able to step in and then had to find a corner of the goal to put the shot in. The second goal was all Julie, playing the header one-time behind their defense. I'll take the goals anyway I can get them.