Updated at 4:27 p.m., Monday, March 12, 2007
U.S. women's soccer team reaches Algarve Cup final
By Dirk Hinrichs
Associated Press
The United States, which won the tournament in 2000 and from 2003-05, will play Denmark in Wednesday's final. Sweden needed just a tie to reach the final.
"We wanted to come out and attack, not sit back," U.S coach Greg Ryan said.
Wambach put the Americans ahead in the 39th minute when Lindsey Tarpley headed in a cross from Kristine Lilly, and Lloyd made it 2-0 in the 44th when she volleyed home a pass from Stephanie Lopez.
Josefine Oqvist headed Therese Sjogran's corner kick off the turf and into the corner of the goal in the 71st, but Wambach headed in Shannon Boxx's cross in the 72nd. Victoria Svensson converted a penalty kick for Sweden in the 83rd.
Natasha Kai, a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum, entered the match as a substitute.
Denmark advanced to the final despite a 3-0 loss to Germany, which won the tournament last year.
"Denmark were able to rest people today and will be fresh for the final," Ryan said. "I expect a similar kind of game as tonight with both sides attacking."
The United States (3-0) won Group B with nine points, followed by Sweden (2-1) and Finland (1-2), a 2-0 winner over China (0-3).
Denmark (2-0-1) won Group A on goal difference over France (2-0-1), which beat Norway 1-0. Germany (1-2) was third on goal difference ahead of Norway (1-2).
