FARO, Portugal (March 13, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Team won the Algarve Cup for the ninth time after Alex Morgan’s two goals earned a 2-0 victory against Germany this afternoon in Faro, Portugal. The U.S. forward scored twice in the first half and head coach Tom Sermanni’s team put in a comprehensive performance to defeat the second-ranked team in the world.
The USA made six changes to the lineup that drew 1-1 with Sweden two days earlier, with Sermanni forced to withdraw Megan Rapinoe at the last moment. The U.S. midfielder, who would later be named Player of the Tournament, sustained an injury at the last moment and was replaced by Tobin Heath.
Looking to earn its first trophy under Sermanni, who took the reins of the team in late 2012, the U.S. dictated the pace against Germany from the opening whistle.
Morgan started the scoring in the 13th minute after some hard work on the right wing from strike partner Sydney Leroux. Leroux got to the byline before whipping in a dangerous cross that Germany’s center defender Josephine Henning tried to head clear. But the ball fell to Morgan just inside the area and the U.S. forward was lethal: taking one touch before firing into the top corner with her left foot.
Twelve minutes later the U.S. doubled its lead, with Morgan again doing the damage. Germany should have dealt with a routine ball over the top from Heath but a mix up between goalkeeper Almuth Schult and her defense let Morgan steal the ball. She had the easiest of finishes and stayed composed, rolling the ball home into the empty net from the edge of the box for her second on the day.
The U.S. opened the Algarve Cup with wins over Iceland (3-0) and China PR (5-0).
The U.S. Women will return to Europe in about two weeks for matches against Germany in Offenbech on April 5 and against the Netherlands in The Hague on April 9.
Additional Notes:
- Morgan’s two goals take her career total to 41, making her just one of 12 women to score 40 or more for the USA.
- ChasingMia Update: Abby Wambach came off the bench for the first time since March 9, 2011, against Iceland at the 2011 Algarve Cup. She entered in the 75th minute for Christen Press.
- Morgan and Leroux, who paired together to help the USA win the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, started together for the full National Team for the second time. The first time was earlier in this tournament against China.
- Megan Rapinoe, who didn’t play in the final due to a late injury, was named the best player of the 2013 Algarve Cup.
- The USA played in its 14th Algarve Cup Final in 18 years of competing in this tournament. The USA has won nine Algarve Cup titles overall, winning in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013.
- The USA improved its unbeaten streak to 29 games, with the last loss coming against Japan on March 5 at the 2012 Algarve Cup in Portugal. During that span, the U.S. has scored 91 goals while allowing 21 in 25 wins and four draws.
- The match in the Algarve Cup Final against Germany becomes a first leg of sorts as the two sides will also meet each other in the following game for both teams, a friendly match on April 5 in Offenbach, Germany.
- Tobin Heath, usually a flank midfielder, started the game in the middle at attacking midfield as Carli Lloyd was held out due to a shoulder injury. Heath assisted on the second goal.
- The match marked the third career start for Christen Press.
U.S. Women’s National Team Match Report
Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Germany
Date: March 13, 2013
Competition: 2013 Algarve Cup; Championship Game
Attendance: 1,200
Weather: 56 degrees, sunny, clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 2 0 2
GER 0 0 0
- USA – Alex Morgan: 13th minute
- USA – Alex Morgan: 33
Lineups:
USA: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 11-Ali Krieger (6-Crystal Dunn, 58), 19-Rachel Buehler, 14-Whitney Engen, 5-Kelley O’Hara; 23-Christen Press (20-Abby Wambach, 75), 7-Shannon Boxx (capt.), 16-Yael Averbuch (4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 68), 17-Tobin Heath (8-Kristie Mewis, 82); 13-Alex Morgan, 2-Sydney Leroux
Substitutions Not Used: 3-Christie Rampone, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 10-Carli Lloyd, 15-Megan Rapinoe, 17-Tobin Heath, 22-Lindsey Horan, 24-Ashlyn Harris
Head coach: Tom Sermanni
GER: 12-Almuth Schult; 4-Babett Peter (capt.) (27-Jennifer Cramer, 46), 22-Luisa Wensing, 23-Josephine Henning, 25-Leonie Maier; 15-Verena Faißt (18-Svenja Huth, 75) 17-Viola Odebrecht (26-Nadine Keßler, 46, 10-Linda Bresonik, 60), 20-Lena Goeßling, 14-Dzsenifer Marozsan (24-Lena Lotzen, 81); 13-Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, 11-Anja Mittag (9-Alexandra Popp, 46)
Substitutions Not Used: 1-Nadine Angerer, 3-Saskia Bartusiak, 7-Melanie Behringer, 8-Kim Kulig, 21-Laura Benkarth, 29-Isabel Kerschowoski
Head coach: Silvia Neid
Stats Summary: USA / GER
- Shots: 6 / 12
- Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
- Saves: 5 / 1
- Corner Kicks: 1 / 4
- Fouls: 12 / 14
- Offside: 3 / 6
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Sydney Leroux (caution): 23rd minute
Officials:
- Referee: Carol Anne Chenard (CAN)
- Assistant Referee 1: Marie-Josee Charbonneau (CAN)
- Assistant Referee 2: Suzanne Morisset (CAN)
- Fourth Official: Esther Staubli (SUI)
Budweiser Woman of the Match: Alex Morgan