Rodriguez's goal lifts U.S. women over Brazil

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jul 14, 2008

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) -- Amy Rodriguez scored in the 71st minute to give the U.S. women's soccer team a 1-0 win over Brazil in an exhibition match Sunday.

The U.S., which has posted shutouts in its last six games, is now 20-0-1 in 2008. The two teams meet again Wednesday in San Diego in their last match before the Olympics start next month in Beijing. The U.S. faces Norway on Aug. 6 in its first Olympic match.

Abby Wambach sent a pass through the box to Rodriguez, and Brazil defender Tania initially blocked the ball. However, the ball squirted between her legs and Rodriguez let go with a blast high that Brazil goalie Andrea could only get her fingertips on for the game's only goal.

The U.S. had several good chances in the first half, putting seven shots on net. The women had a flurry early in the game, and in the 36th minute Natasha Kai tried to center a ball in front of a wide-open net, but Brazil defender Andreia Rosa blocked the pass out of bounds.

Wambach nearly scored her 100th career goal during the two- minute injury time of the first half, but Andrea made a diving stop to keep the game scoreless at halftime.