US Women bounce back with win over Japan

The United States Women's Olympic Team bounced back from a terrible opening game to defeat Japan behind a Carli Lloyd goal in the second match of Group G action at the 2008 Olympic Games.  With the shutout win, the U.S. secured a vital three points as they seek a place in the knockout phase, moving into second place in Group G behind leaders Norway. The top two finishers in each of the three groups advance to the second round along with two best third-place finishers based on points.  The US will close out group action against New Zealand on Aug. 12 in Shenyang. Kickoff is set for 7:45 a.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on MSNBC and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel.

The Americans set a frenetic pace to open the contest, looking much more composed at the outset than in their opening match of the 2008 Games against Norway. The combination of tight organization and quick ball movement kept the Japanese under pressure from the opening whistle. The U.S. outshot Japan 18-9 on the night, while Hope Solo earned her first Olympic clean sheet in her second start.  The US attack created its first opportunity in the eighth minute thanks to a nice passing exchange. Lindsay Tarpley played a lovely diagonal switch to Heather O’Reilly on the right flank, who beat her marker to the endline. Her cross was narrowly cleared by a sliding Japanese defender as Angela Hucles lurked on the back post. Less than a minute later, Tarpley took a crack on her own, forcing her way through two defenders and ripping a left-footer from 20 yards that goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto did well to smother.

Japan’s first good chance came at the quarter-hour, and it was nearly trouble. Mizuho Sakaguchi received a pass inside the area and smacked a low drive that just skimmed by the far post.  The US continued to press the game, seeking to exploit their speed on both flanks with quick passes played forward into space. Both Amy Rodriguez, making her first Olympic start, and Heather O’Reilly worked tirelessly throughout the night to keep the Japanese on their heels with their willingness to take on defenders.

Japan got another good look at the midway point of the first half when veteran Homare Sawa found space at the left corner of the box. Spying the far post, she tried to a curl a shot to upper corner, but Hopo Solo calmly rose to tip the ball over the bar.  The decisive moment came in the 27th minute as the result of hustle from the US team. Tarpley fought for possession near the midfield stripe and played a through ball to Stephanie Cox, who had overlapped from the left back position. Cox raced to the endline and hit a left-footed cross towards the top of the box. The ball bounced past a defender and found Lloyd at the top of the box. Lloyd stepped up and unleashed a wicked half volley that sailed above Fukumoto and rippled the back of the net. The goal was Lloyd’s 18th in her international career and her first in Olympic play.

The pace mellowed a bit around 30-minute mark as the heat and humidity began taking its toll, but both sides still probed for opportunities. In the 33rd minute, Yuki Nagasoto penetrated the American penalty area by getting past Kate Markgraf. She slotted a ball across the six-yard box that appeared to be dangerous, but the U.S. defense stood well positioned and the effort skipped harmlessly through.  Just three minutes before the halftime whistle, the US nearly broke through again. From near the center circle, Hucles started a quick counter by slipping a through ball between the Japanese defense and sending Rodriguez racing through towards goal. Charging into the box, she tried to pick out the far post but the Japanese ‘keeper stood her ground to thwart the attempt.

The second half began a bit more measured for the US as Japan came out pressing for the equalizer. The US did well to absorb the early pressure and shortly snatched the momentum.   Shannon Boxx, who traded moments of getting forward with her midfielder partner Lloyd, got a pair of chances three minutes apart. In the 56th minute, she took a first-time strike from the top of the area, only to see the well-struck effort keep rising over the Japanese goal. Three minutes later, she made a quick turn 25 yards out and slammed a left footer towards the near post that forced a diving save from Fukumoto.

The American women looked in control through the middle phase of the half, denying Japan a good look at goal while patiently seeking out counter-attacking opportunities in search of an insurance goal. They had a golden chance to double the lead in the 80th minute when O’Reilly delivered a penetrating pass to Rodriguez near the top right corner of the area. She fought off her defender and earned a clear look at goal. With the ‘keeper off her line, she let go a curling shot destined for the far post, but the ball bent agonizingly wide. With minutes remaining, Japan turned up the heat as they probed for the equalizer. In the 88th minute, Shinobu Ohno beat three US markers and dribbled to the endline. Her delivery into the six-yard box found Karina Maruyama first to the ball, but US captain Christie Rampone bodied the Japanese attacker enough to force an off balance header that fell wide. Rampone earned her 199th international cap in the victory.