Although it was hardly an inspiring effort, the USWNT advanced to their tenth Algarve Cup after battling a spirited Iceland side to a 0-0 draw.
With the draw, the US finished with seven points, tops in group B.
Employing the same defensive minded approach as had the last five US opponents, Iceland also tried to add a long ball attack, launching several which were handled by the USA defense. Although playing an organized game, Iceland also employed a rather aggressive attack, which resulted in 18 fouls as opposed to 11 by the Americans.
Despite controlling possession a great deal of the time, something they have struggled to do as of late, the USA just couldn’t find the back of the net.
The US will now face France in the Algarve Cup Final on Wednesday. France was by far the class of the group stages, amassing nine points and cruised to a 3-1 victory over Japan and beat the USWNT 2-0 in an international friendly back on Feb. 8th. Without question, the French will be the most formidable opponent the US has faced this entire tournament, and will undoubtedly use the same defensive tactic that every side the US has played this season have used. Despite solid goalkeeping from Hope Solo and their ability to maintain possession, the fact that they could not find the back of the net is troubling for coach Jill Ellis’ squad.
Iceland also ejoyed solid goal keeping, as goalie Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir made two crucial stops as Kelley O’Hara’s shot from distance in the 67th minute almost slipped through the hands of Gunnarsdóttir, but she managed to get enough of the ball to push the rocket over the crossbar, then stopped Christen Press’s shot in the 83rd minute from 23 yards out. The ball was headed toward the right corner of the net, but Gunnarsdóttir dove to her left to push it outside the post.
The match was played in front of roughly 500 people, but was not televised due to bad lighting at the stadium.
Stats Summary: USA / ISL
Shots: 8 / 2
Shots on Goal: 5 / 2
Saves: 2 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 11 / 18
Offside: 4 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
ISL – Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir (caution) 14th minute
USA – Alex Morgan (caution) 53
ISL – Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (caution) 72
ISL – Elísa Vidarsdóttir (cuation) 89
Officials:
Referee: Abirami Naidu (SIN)
Assistant Referee 1: Sarah Ho (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Widiya Shamsuri (MAS)
Fourth Official: Stephanie Frappart (FRA)
Woman of the Match: Becky Sauerbrunn
Match Notes:
- This will be the USA’s 14th Algarve Cup title game in 20 trips to the tournament and the U.S. is going for its 10th title.
- With nine titles, the USA is far and away the leader in all-time Algarve Cup championships.
- The USA moved to 12-0-2 all-time against Iceland. The other draw, back in 2000, also finished 0-0.
- The USA has played France three times at the Algarve Cup, winning all three matches. They have never faced each other in an Algarve Cup title game.
- The U.S. is now 3-1-1 in 2015.
- U.S. head coach Jill Ellis made six changes from the starting lineup that faced Norway on March 6, giving Kelley O’Hara, Tobin Heath, Heather O’Reilly and Rachel Van Hollebeke their first starts of the tournament.
- Ellis used all six substitutes, starting with Carli Lloyd replacing Meghan Klingenberg at halftime. Lauren Holiday, Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez game on in the 60th minute for O’Reilly, Heath and Abby Wambach, respectively, while Shannon Boxx and Sydney Leroux played the last 15 minutes in place of Morgan Brian and Alex Morgan, respectively.
- Wambach captained the USA and made her 237th appearance and ranks sixth on the all-time WNT list, two games behind fifth-place Joy Fawcett (239 games from 1987-2004)
- Goalkeeper Hope Solo earned her 80th shutout.
- This will be the USA’s 14th Algarve Cup title game in 20 trips to the tournament and the U.S. is going for its 10th title.
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