U.S. Women Advance To Sixth Algarve Cup Final With 4-0 Win Over Norway

ALVOR, Portugal (March 10, 2008) - The U.S. Women will advance to play Denmark in an unprecedented sixth Algarve Cup Final following a dominating second half which fueled a 4-0 victory over Norway on Wednesday afternoon. Natasha Kai got the scoring started on what was a wacky play, catching the Norwegian goalkeeper off guard. Thinking that there was nobody around, she placed the ball on the ground to kick it away. But the lurking Kai, stole the ball away and buried it into the net in the 55th minute to give the U.S. the lead. Two minutes later, Abby Wambach tallied her second goal of the tournament. But the U.S. wasn't done yet. In the 65th minute, strong play in the Norwegian penalty area led to a Heather O'Reilly goal. And just when the Norwegians couldn't take any more, Amy Rodriguez made the Norwegian goalkeeper pay for a misplay in the 90th minute. With the win, the United States will face Denmark in the Algarve Cup Final. Kickoff on Wednesday, March 12 is slated for 9:15 a.m. ET and can be followed online on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker. - U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT - Match-up: USA vs. Norway Competition: 2008 Algarve Cup Venue: Restinga Stadium; Alvor, Portugal Date: March 10, 2008; Kickoff – 3 p.m. local / 11 a.m. ET Attendance: 300 Weather: Cloudy, windy – 64 degrees Scoring Summary:           1   2   F USA  0   4   4 NOR 0   0   0 USA – Natasha Kai (unassisted) 55th minute. USA – Abby Wambach (Carli Lloyd) 57. USA—Heather O’Reilly (Leslie Osborne) 65. USA – Amy Rodriguez (Abby Wambach) 90. Lineups: USA: 24-Nicole Barnhart; 26-Rachel Buehler, 15-Kate Markgraf, 3-Christie Rampone – Capt. (4-Cat Whitehill, 75), 17-Lori Chalupny (14-Stephanie Cox, 75); 7-Shannon Boxx (12-Leslie Osborne, 63), 11-Carli Lloyd, 10-Angie Woznuk (5-Lindsay Tarpley, 46), 9-Heather O’Reilly (13-Tobin Heath, 70); 6-Natasha Kai (19-Amy Rodriguez 63), 20-Abby Wambach. Subs not used: 8-Lauren Cheney, 16-Angela Hucles 18-Hope Solo. Head Coach: Pia Sundhage NOR: 12-Ingrid Hjelmseth: 2-Ane Horpestad, 3-Gunhild Følstad (15-Marita Lund, 58), 5-Siri Nordby,18-Runa Vikestad; 4-Ingvild Stensland, 6-Marie Knutsen, 7-Lene Storløkken, 9-Isabell Herlovsen, 10-Melissa Wiik, 11-Leni Kaurin (14-Guro Knutsen, 68). Subs not used: 1-Erika Skarbø, 8-Solveig Gulbrandsen, 13-Christine Nielsen, 16-Elise Thorsnes, 17-Lene Mykjaland, 19-Marit Chistensen, 20-Kristin Lie. Head Coach: Bjarne Berntsen Statistical Summary: USA / NOR Shots: 16/ 5 Shots on Goal: 10 / 5 Saves: 4 / 6 Corner Kicks: 5 / 1 Fouls: 6 / 15 Offside: 2 / 1 Misconduct Summary: USA – Carli Lloyd (caution) 30th minute. Officials Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (GER) Asst. Referee: Vivian Peeters (NED) Asst. Referee: Alejandra Cercato (ARG) 4th Official: Alexandra Ihingova (ENG) Sierra Mist Woman of the Match: Christie Rampone