The U.S. Women’s National Team is off and running in 2013, not missing a beat under the direction of new head coach Tom Sermanni.
For the 14th time, the U.S. WNT traveled to Portugal for the annual Algarve Cup, and for the ninth time came home with the first-place trophy.
This time the trip was not without drama.
Included in group play was a 1-1 draw with Sweden, coached by former U.S. WNT coach Pia Sundhaga.
Also in group play, the U.S. got wins against Iceland and China.
The U.S. team lost a pair of players to injuries. Midfielder Carli Lloyd suffered a broken bone in her shoulder, and reserve goalkeeper Jill Loyden was lost with a broken bone in her hand.
With Loyden out, the goalkeeper duties were handed by Solo’s backup Nicole Barnhart, and former UNC keeper Ashlyn Harris.
In the final, the U.S. met the #2 team in the world, coming away with a 2-0 victory over Germany.
Alex Morgan scored those two goals, and Barnhart got the shutout.
Abby Wambach did not break Mia Hamm’s career record for international goals on this trip, but she gained ground with goal #154, leaving her four shy of Hamm’s mark of 158.
Megan Rapinoe did not play against Germany after taking an injury late in the game with Sweden. Nevertheless, she was named the best player of the 2013 Algarve Cup.
With the latest championship, the U.S. extended its unbeaten streak to 29 games. The last loss came in the 2012 Algarve Cup against Japan.
Over that streak the U.S. is 25-0-4 and has outscored opponents 91-21.