U.S. Opens FIFA Women's World Cup with 2-0 Win Over Korea DPR; Former Gator Abby Wambach Provides Assist
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 | Soccer
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team opened 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup play Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Korea DPR at the Rudolf-Harbig Stadium in Dresden, Germany.
After a scoreless opening half, the U.S. scored the game-winner less than 10 minutes into the second half. Former Gator All-American Abby Wambach brought the ball deep into the left flank and took a step toward the middle. The maneuver put her defender off-balance, allowing Wambach room to take a couple more steps before sending a perfect cross. Lauren Cheney headed the ball in to put the U.S. on top 1-0 in the 54th minute.
Wambach nearly had a goal of her own, as she hit the crossbar in the 65th minute. The insurance goal came from defender Rachel Buehler in the 73rd minute. Ali Krieger's shot kicked off the cross bar and eventually ended up at the foot of Buehler, who tucked it in at the near post from 17 yards.
Another former Gator All-American Heather Mitts, is part of the U.S. roster, but did not play Tuesday.
| FIFA Women's World Cup – Group C Results | |
| June 28 | Sweden 1, Colombia 0 |
| June 28 | USA 2, Korea DPR 0 |
The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup will be held in nine cities in Germany from June 26-July 17. The USA is part of Group C and also faces Colombia (July 2 at 11:30 a.m.) and Sweden (July 6 at 2:30 p.m.). The U.S.'s group play contests air on ESPN, ESPN3 and Galavision.
This is Wambach's third Women's World Cup appearance, as she also was on the 2003 and 2007 U.S. rosters. She currently is the fourth all-time leading scorer in international soccer history with 118 goals. She led the USA in scoring at the 2003 and 2007 FIFA Women's World Cups and the 2004 Olympics, where she scored the winning goal in the gold medal match. Wambach missed the 2008 Olympics as she broke her left leg in the USA's final warm-up match prior to leaving for China. The two-time U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year (2003 and 2004) is a member of the magicJack team of the Women's Professional Soccer league.
Wambach is the Gators' career leader in goals (96), assists (50) and points (242) and stands seventh on the NCAA Career charts in goals and points. She earned National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) All-America first-team honors in 1999 and 2001. She is a four-time member of the All-Southeastern Conference first team and picked up the SEC Player of the Year award in 2000 and 2001.
Mitts is among the 12 players on the USA roster making their first World Cup appearance, although she is familiar with soccer on the major international stage. Mitts was part of the USA's 2004 and 2008 gold-medal Olympic teams, starting at right back in each of the six matches of the 2008 Olympic run. Mitts was expected to be a part of the USA's 2007 World Cup roster, but a left anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered in an international friendly on May 12, 2007 put her out of contention for that World Cup cycle. Mitts plays for the Atlanta Beat of the WPS.
As a Gator, Mitts earned All-America and All-SEC honors in her final two seasons (1998 & '99). Mitts is third on UF's career list with 7,547 minutes played and is tied for fourth with 95 matches played. The defender also was a NCAA Championship All-Tournament team selection when the Gators claimed the 1998 national title.
| U.S. Women's National Team Match Report | |||
|
| 1 | 2 | Final |
| USA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| PRK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
USA – Lauren Cheney (Abby Wambach) 54th minute
USA – Rachel Buehler (Carli Lloyd) 76
Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 11-Ali Krieger, 19-Rachel Buehler, 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 6-Amy LePeilbet; 9-Heather O'Reilly (15-Megan Rapinoe, 79), 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Carli Lloyd, 12-Lauren Cheney; 8-Amy Rodriguez (13-Alex Morgan, 75), 20-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 2-Heather Mitts, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 5-Kelley O'Hara, , 14-Stephanie Cox, , 16-Lori Lindsey, 17-Tobin Heath 18-Nicole Barnhart, 21-Jill Loyden
Head coach: Pia Sundhage
PRK: 1-Hong Myong Hui; 3-Ho Un Byol (20-Kwon Song Hwa, 81), 5-Song Jong Sun, 16-Jong Pok Sim, 17-Ri Un Hyang; 8-Kim Su Gyong, 10-Jo Yun Mi, 11-Ri Ye Gyong, 12-Jon Myong Hwa (13-Kim Un Ju, 68); 7-Yun Hyon Hi (6-Paek Sol Hui, 48), 9-Ra Un Sim
Subs not used: 2-Jon Hong Yon, 4-Kim Myong Gum, 14-Kim Chung Sim, 15-Yu Jong Hui, 18-Ri Jin Sim, 19-Choe Mi Gyong, 21-Kim Chol Ok
Head coach: Kim Kwang Min
Statistical Summary: USA / PRK
Shots: 19 / 13
Shots on Goal: 12 / 7
Saves: 7 / 10
Corner Kicks: 8 / 4
Fouls: 9 / 11
Offside: 0 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
None
Officials
Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (GER)
Assistant Referee 1: Marina Wozniak (GER)
Assistant Referee 2: Katrin Rafalski (GER)
Fourth Offical: Gyoengyi Gaal (HUN)
Bud Light Woman of the Match: Abby Wambach
Information from USA Soccer used for this report
