Sun Jul 13 18:07:04 2008

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Rodriguez leads USA to win over Brazil

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Commerce City, CO (Sports Network) - Amy Rodriguez scored the game's lone goal in the 71st minute to help the United States Women's National Team beat Brazil 1-0 in a friendly on Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Rodriguez came off the bench in the second half to score the goal, which lifted the United State's record in 2008 to 20-0-1. They will meet Brazil again on Wednesday in their final match before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Brazil, which beat the United States 4-0 in the semifinals of the 2007 Women's World Cup, was playing without its two best players in Marta and Cristiane, which severely damaged their attack.

Abby Wambach entered the contest with 99 career goals, but she failed to hit the century mark on Sunday, with her best chance coming in the 60th minute when she fired the ball over the net from 25 yards.

Both teams were organized in defense in the opening half, leaving few opportunities for either team's attack. The Americans had more possession in the final third, but they were unable to string together enough passes to set up a good scoring chance.

The best opportunity in the first half for the United States came on a long- range effort from Carli Lloyd. Brazil goalkeeper Andrea made the save, but spilled a rebound that Natasha Kai pounced on. The American striker then drove the ball towards the front of goal for Wambach, but it was knocked away by a Brazilian defender.

Brazil looked good on the counter attack and twice produced chances to take the lead. Formiga floated a shot towards the top corner of the net from 25 yards, but it sailed safely over the crossbar, and Pretinha stabbed the ball just wide of the left post from the top of the box.

It took until the 71st minute before either side was able to crack the scoreboard, and it was the Americans who went in front thanks to some poor defending from Brazil.

Wambach got the ball on the left wing and drove it low into the box towards the back post. Brazilian defender Tania should have easily cleared the ball, but it skipped between her legs and fell to Rodriguez, who smacked a shot off the fingertips of goalkeeper Barbara and into the top corner.

Without its offensive stars on the roster, Brazil offered up little in attack and they didn't threaten the American net over the remainder of the match.