Champions! US defeats France for 10th Algarve Cup

By Debby von Winckelmann

What a difference a month makes.

The U.S. women’s national team defeated France 2-0 today at Algarve Stadium in Portugal to earn the Algarve Cup championship for the 10th time.

The victory is especially sweet for the U.S. after having lost to France 2-0 on Feb. 8 in Lorient, France. That loss served to spark serious doubt in fans and analysts about the Americans’ ability to win big games heading towards the 2015 World Cup.

Today was much different, however. Just 7 minutes into the match, Julie Johnston headed in a free kick served by Lauren Holiday, giving the U.S. an early 1-0 lead.

The Americans hadn’t scored a first half goal in several games, but then Christen Press made it 2-0 in the 41st minute after dribbling the ball from midfield, through five defenders before drilling it in the lower, right corner.

Press said it was a great game to get a goal and the early lead.

“I think it was great for our momentum after having just played them and getting a difficult result.

“This time we came out and we took the power. We were able to settle down, play our style and dictate the tempo of the game and impose ourselves on the game. Towards the ends it changed because they were trying to push the goal and we were trying to hold them off, but for a big part of the game we were able to play in a better style with more power and more influence in the game.”

France stepped up their attack in the second half, but was unable to get on the scoreboard. U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo was solid all game and stopped a penalty kick by France’s Amandine Henry in the 81st minute.

“It’s one of those things that you never know what you’re going to do when you step on the line,” Solo said. “I stayed calm, I stayed relaxed and made the save.”

After resting several players in Monday’s game against Iceland, which ended in a disappointing scoreless tie, head coach Jill Ellis returned to a lineup that is beginning to look familiar. Carli Lloyd wore the captain’s armband and played at right mid, Press was on the left, while Holiday and Morgan Brian were in the center. Ali Krieger returned to right back, Meghan Klingenberg was on the left and pairing Becky Sauerbrunn and Johnston were the center backs. Ellis gave Amy Rodriguez her first start of the tournament, pairing her up top with Alex Morgan.

While the victory was sweet, it wasn’t perfect and Ellis recognized that there is still progress to be made before the World Cup.

“I’m obviously pleased with the result. I think it was a competitive match with two good opponents. It was good for our confidence to get on the board early, but France put us under a tremendous amount of pressure. Having Hope [Solo] back with us and settled in was great and obviously she did very well. Now it’s about what are the takeaways, and what do we need to continue to work on? Because obviously June is the target.”

Lineups:
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 11-Ali Krieger, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 26-Julie Johnston, 25-Meghan Klingenberg (20-Abby Wambach, 85); 10-Carli Lloyd (capt.), 12-Lauren Holiday, 14-Morgan Brian (7-Shannon Boxx, 85), 23-Christen Press (2-Sydney Leroux, 75); 8-Amy Rodriguez (5-Kelley O’Hara, 68), 13-Alex Morgan (15-Megan Rapinoe, 85)

Subs Not Used: 3-Christie Rampone, 9-Heather O’Reilly, 16-Lori Chalupny, 17-Tobin Heath, 19-Rachel Van Hollebeke, 22-Crystal Dunn, 24-Ashlyn Harris
Head coach: Jill Ellis

FRA: 16-Sarah Bouhaddi; 8-Jessica Houara, 20-Anaïg Butel, 5-Sabrina Delannoy, 3-Laure Boulleau; 13-Kadidiatou Diani (7-Kenza Dali, 58), 6-Amandine Henry, 10-Camille Abily, 23-Kheira Hamraoui (11-Claire Lavogez, 58); 17-Gaëtane Thiney (18-Marie-Laure Delie, 78), 9-Eugénie Le Sommer

Subs Not Used: 1-Emmeline Mainguy, 2-Wendie Renard, 4-Sandra Toletti, 12-Elodie Thomis, 14-Aureli Kaci, 15-Elise Bussaglia, 19-Griedge M’Bock Bathy Nka, 21-Méline Gerard, 22-Amel Majri
Head coach: Philippe Bergeroo