The Chinese held off the Americans with a conservative, low-pressure game, as their players sagged back in their own half of the field most of the time.

But the Americans — undefeated in the three-game tournament — kept attacking and eventually Boxx headed the ball over the goalkeeper from 11 yards out.

Hope Solo, briefly dismissed from the U.S. team for criticizing the former coach's decision to drop her during the World Cup, started in goal for the second time in the tournament and had one save.

"At the end of the day, it was speed," said new U.S. coach Pia Sundhage. "You get tired after a while and the header Boxx put in the goal, that was just excellent — a good finish for us in this tournament."

Sundhage, hired two months ago, was pleased with the overall performance of her team, which had 12 players from last year's squad that finished third in the World Cup.

"The Chinese team forced us to change the system in the first half to the second half," said Sundhage, an assistant coach for China last year. "The defending of the Chinese team challenged us a little bit, which was good because this is what it's all about. The next game, we'll make sure we can attack in different ways."

China coach Elisabeth Loisel was impressed with the Americans' speed and strength, but thought her players could improve.

"I'm very happy with our team's defense," said Loisel, China's seventh head coach in four years. "I believe through different training and competition, we'll get good results."