Freedom's Wambach scores twice as U.S. Women defeat Norway 2-1 in Algarve Cup

The Washington Freedom's Abby Wambach scored twice as the U.S. Women's National team defeated Norway 2-1 in their second match of the 2010 Algarve Cup in Portugal. Wambach's first goal came early in the game in the 13th minute, and didn't net her second goal until injury time in the 92nd minute for a dramatic finish.

Wambach's game-winner came off of a cross from Lauren Cheney after Cheney's initial shot was blocked.

The USA now sits atop Group B with six points.

U.S. Soccer Match Report:

Match: U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Norway
Date: Feb. 26, 2010
Competition: 2010 Algarve Cup; Group B
Venue: Estadio Jose Arcanjo; Vila Real de San Antonio, Portugal
Kickoff: 3 p.m. (10 a.m. ET)
Attendance: 300
Weather: Mostly cloudy, cool – 63 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA                        1 1 2
NOR                        0 1 1

USA – Abby Wambach (Lori Lindsey)               13th minute
NOR – Isabel Herlovsen (Leni Larsen Kaurin)     63
USA – Abby Wambach (Lauren Cheney)            92+

Lineups:
USA: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 2-Heather Mitts, 26-Rachel Buehler, 14-Stephanie Cox, 17-Meghan Schnur (4-Cat Whitehill, 46); 9-Heather O’Reilly, 7-Shannon Boxx – Capt. (12-Yael Averbuch, 64), 10-Carli Lloyd, 5-Lori Lindsey (8-Amy Rodriguez, 77); 11-Lauren Cheney, 20-Abby Wambach 
Subs not used: 1-Hope Solo, 6-Amy LePeilbet, 13-Megan Rapinoe, 15-Casey Nogueira, 24-Jill Loyden.
Head Coach: Pia Sundhage

NOR: 12-Christine Nilsen; 2-Toril Akerhaugen, 3-Marit Christensen, 6-Lise Marie Woods (8-Solveig Gulbrandsen, 61), 15-Hedda Gardsjord, 17-Maren Mjelde, 14-Lise Klaveness, 18-Guro Knutsen Mienna (11-Leni Larsen Kaurin, 61), 20-Lena Storløkken – Capt. (4-Ingvild Stensland, 61); 16-Elisa Thorsnes (9-Isabel Herlovsen, 61), 19-Lene Mykjaland (10-Lindy Melissa Wiik, 75).
Subs not used: 1-Ingrid Hjelmseth, 5-Gry Tofte Ims, 7-Trine Rønning, 13-Cecilie Pedersen
Head Coach: Eli Landsem

Statistical Summary: USA / NOR
Shots: 14 / 7 
Shots on Goal: 9 / 2 
Saves: 1 / 7  
Corner Kicks: 10 / 8 
Fouls: 9 / 9 
Offside: 4 / 4 

Misconduct Summary: 
NOR – Marit Christensen (caution)      11th minute
USA – Carli Lloyd (caution)                76

Officials
Referee: (Korea Republic) 
Asst. Referee: Suel Gi Lee (Korea Republic)
Asst. Referee: Saori Takahashi (Japan)
Fourth Official: Jia Wang (China) 

ussoccer.com Woman of the Match:
Abby Wambach