Jul 14, 2008 - 12:23 AM
0 shoutsCOMMERCE CITY, Colorado (Ticker) -- Amy Rodriguez scored in the 71st minute to lift the United States women's soccer team to a 1-0 triumph over Brazil in a friendly on Sunday.
The Americans, who have recorded shutouts in their last six matches, improved to 20-0-1 in 2008. In addition, the United States has yet to surrender a goal to Brazil since allowing four at the FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals in September 2007.
The teams will square of again in San Diego on Wednesday before participating in the Olympics next month in Beijing. The United States will face Norway on August 6 in its opening match.
Rodriguez, who replaced Natasha Kai at halftime, provided the only offense in this one.
After gaining possession during a scramble on the left wing, Tobin Heath fed Abby Wambach, who alertly spun a cross through the penalty area. The ball skipped through the legs of a Brazilian defender and found Rodriguez, who blasted a shot past Brazilian keeper Andrea from 10 yards out.
"It's great for our confidence and getting us ready for the Olympics," Rodriguez said. "We want to go into the Olympics feeling confident and ready - and I think we proved that out there today."
It was Rodriguez's fifth international goal - and second against Brazil. She also recorded the match's only goal on June 17 in Suwon, South Korea to give the Americans a 1-0 triumph over Brazil at the Peace Queen Cup.
"I said at halftime to take the chance and keep possession," United States head coach Pia Sundhage said. "You feel like you are under pressure, but (the U.S.) is such a good team that we can keep possession under pressure and let them run instead. I think we did that in the second half. The fact that we were more patient, kept possession in the midfield and in the back, and at the same time we had A-Rod (Rodriguez) up top. That was the difference in the second half."
Wambach, who created the goal but did not come up with one of her own, has 99 career tallies in 126 appearances.
"Abby is important for the team, of course," Sundhage said. "If you look at Brazil when they play, they stay closer all the time so she creates space for others. She will get a run to goal sooner than later, I think it will be sooner. She is effective in the air, she had a couple of shots today and the goals come."
