USA: 18-Hope Solo; 17-Lori Chalupny, 27-Becky Sauerbrunn (14-Stephanie Cox, 64), 3-Christie Rampone – Capt., 26-Ali Krieger; 7-Shannon Boxx, 12-Leslie Osborne (16-Angela Hucles, 46), 11-Carli Lloyd (5-Lindsay Tarpley, 64), 9-Heather O’Reilly; 19-Amy Rodriguez, 20-Abby Wambach.   

CAN: 18-Erin McLeod; 3-Melanie Booth, 9-Candace Chapman (13-Kaylyn Kyle, 78), 11-Randee Hermus, 15-Clare Rustad; 7-Rhian Wilkinson, 10-Martina Franko, 19-Sophie Schmidt; 12-Christine Sinclair, 14-Melissa Tancredi (16-Julie Armstrong, 67), 21-Jodi-Ann Robinson (5-Jonelle Filigno, 46). 

Attendance: 1,000  

Venue: Guangdong Olympic Sports Center Stadium; Guangzhou, China.  

Sundhage, Rampone, and the First Win of the Year 

The US Women’s Soccer Team under their new Coach Pia Sundhage and new Captain Christine Rampone started their era in style with their first win against Canada in China. 

Most of the game was not exciting until the last thirty minutes with the USA scoring goals against Canada.  Amy Rodriguez [Forward] scored two goals followed by another two goals by Lindsey Tarpley [Midfielder].  

It cannot be forgotten that Heather O’Reilly served as a catalyst in the first three goals for the US Women’s Soccer Team. She deserved to be named the player of the game for her quick action and movement in this all important game. 

The US Women’s Soccer Team cannot celebrate yet since there are games against Finland and China to be played. There is also a Championship to be won at the 2008 Four Nations Tournament. 

I would like to congratulate the US Women’s Soccer Team under the leadership of Pia Sundhage and Christine Rampone for starting their era with a victory over Canada.

USA 4-0 Canada 

USA: 7/10

Canada: 3/10