Game

Norway played a 4-5-1 formation with Boston Breakers forward Dagny Mellgren as the lone player up top, and played low-pressure defense, inviting the Americans into the packed midfield. After a start that was choppy at best for the U.S. team, the Americans settled into an attacking rhythm and took the game to Norway, but by that time, they were down a goal.

Mellgren got behind the U.S. back line as a player held her onside and raced in on goal with a 10-yard head start on the closest U.S. defender. She dribbled to the end line and played a crisp service on the ground back to Lehn, who had time to collect the ball before tucking into the left corner past flying U.S. goalkeeper Lakeysia Beene.

From there, it was pretty much all U.S. as Norway took just five shots over the next 80 minutes. The only real danger came from Mellgren, who lurked on the U.S. restraining line and was dangerous on several counter attacks, one of which had to be cleaned up by the charging Beene, who smothered a ball at Mellgren's feet. Forwards Cindy Parlow and Tiffeny Milbrett consistently got around the Norwegian defenders on the outskirts of the penalty area, but could not turn the hard work into goals. In the 11th minute, Parlow worked herself free in the left side of the penalty area and slipped a pass to Milbrett, but her close-range strike from a bad angle was saved by sliding Norway goalkeeper Astrid Johannessen. In the 32nd minute, Parlow once again beat several defenders before slipping the ball to U.S. captain Julie Foudy at the top of the penalty area. Foudy, who was celebrating her 31st birthday, was denied the ultimate gift as her driven shot pounded off the crossbar. One minute before halftime, Parlow danced her way through defenders in the right side of the penalty area, but chipped her shot just wide left of the post. Parlow had a chance earlier in the half when she gained possession six yards out on the elbow of the goal box, then beat a defender to the inside, but couldn't pull the trigger before a Norwegian defender tackled the ball away. The U.S. came out in the second half with increased sharpness and Shannon MacMillan almost tied the game in the 63rd minute, getting behind the defense to win a bouncing ball, but she sliced her shot wide right of the goal with Johannessen beaten. Heinrichs made two substitutes in 66th minute, sending on defender Kylie Bivens and midfielder Aly Wagner, and both almost figured in a goal. Bivens, making her first international appearance, lofted a pass to the top of the penalty area for Parlow to flick on. Wagner ran onto the ball but smacked her volley just wide right of the goal from 16 yards out. In the 75th minute, Parlow got around the left side of the Norwegian defense and played a pass back in the slot to Kristine Lilly, but she volleyed her shot high over the goal. The final two U.S. chances were both courtesy of Wagner, who sprung Milbrett twice in the last five minutes. In the 85th minute, she played a ball to Milbrett in the left side of the penalty area, who crossed to the cutting Parlow at the near post, but she flicked her shot just wide left of the goal. In the 88th minute, Wagner sent a delicate chip to the streaking Milbrett behind the defense, but the final bit of frustration bounced just wide of the right post after Milbrett had beaten Johannessen with a looping shot from just inside the penalty area.

Post game quotes

Head Coach April Heinrichs

We are very disappointed in the loss and very disappointed in our performance in the first 20 minutes. We were dominant in the air and out-shot them by a wide margin yet we were down 1-0. Norway is a great team and they play smart. They simplify the game and stick to their game plan. Their result puts them in great position to win the tournament. We think we are still in this thing. We need to get a result against Germany, but China and Norway have a storied history of knocking each other off. If China can win that match, it could set up a championship game for us in our last game. It could come down to goal difference.              

Captain Julie Foudy

On the positive side, we created a lot of opportunities and dominated the second half. But Norway is too good a team and too organized for us to give up an early goal. We came out a bit flat and paid for it.