In spite of the substitutions, China and USA played a game that was uneventful but filled with tension. China should be commended for having a disciplined and organized team that did not want to give in to a USA Team that was powerful in its own right.

Regardless, it was Shannon Boxx and Becky Sauerbrunn that stole the show with a goal during the 77th minute of the game. While Shannon Boxx received the us soccer.com Woman of the Match Award, the US Women’s Team should do more in reinforcing their tenacity and discipline.

My Congratulations to the USA Women’s Football [Soccer] Team in its victory in the Four Nations Tournament for 2008. I would also like to congratulate Heather O’ Reilly for being the Best Player, Lindsey Tarpley for being the Top Scorer, Zhang Yanru of China for being the Best Goalkeeper, and Pia Sundhage for Being the Best Coach.

While the USA was awarded the Fair Play Award, I am of the opinion that China should have won the award taking into account that they played according to the FIFA Regulations. In fact during the whole tournament, there was no evidence of misconduct. If China did not win the award for fair play, it should have at least been shared with the USA.

USA 1-0 China

USA: 5/10

China: 5/10

2008 Four Nations Tournament Awards
Best Player: Heather O’Reilly (USA)
Top Scorer: Lindsay Tarpley (USA)
Best Goalkeeper: Zhang Yanru (China)
Best Coach: Pia Sundhage (USA)
Fair Play Award: USA

USA: 18-Hope Solo; 14-Stephanie Cox, 3-Christie Rampone – Capt., 27-Becky Sauerbrunn, 17-Lori Chalupny; 7-Shannon Boxx, 11-Carli Lloyd (16-Angela Hucles, 66), 5-Lindsay Tarpley (10-Angie Woznuk, 46), 9-Heather O’Reilly; 8-Lauren Cheney (6-Tobin Heath, 46), 20-Abby Wambach (19-Amy Rodriguez, 76).

CHN: 1-Zhang Yanru; 2-Yuan Fan, 3-Li Jie, 4-Wang Kun, 6-Zhang Ying; 20-Zhang Tong, 7-Bi Yan, 8-Zhang Na, 11-Xie Caixia (17-Zhang Cheng, 80), 16-Liu Yali (14-Guo Yue, 69); 9-Han Duan.