Lopez Assist Lifts USA to Algarve Cup Win

The USA will next face Finland, a 3-0 loser to Sweden in the other Group B match.

Photo courtesy: portlandpilots.com

SILVES, Portugal - University of Portland junior All-American Stephanie Lopez continued her impressive international play by helping the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 2-1 victory over China in the opening match of the 2007 Algarve Cup.

Lopez started in the midfield and assisted on the game-winning goal.

With the match tied at 1-1, Lopez ran onto a ball and nutmegged her defender towards goal She toe-poked a pass back to Lloyd who side-stepped a defender to the inside and cracked a right footed shot from just left of the penalty arc, plowing the ball into the net at the upper left corner from 25 yards out.

The halftime score held as the USA racked up a 15-4 shot advantage and held on for the 2-1 victory.

The USA came out in a 3-4-3 formation with Cat Whitehill sweeping behind markers Christie Rampone and Tina Ellertson, with Stephanie Lopez and Lori Chalupny deployed on the flanks.

Up front, the USA started with Abby Wambach and Lilly, who were playing in their first matches of 2007, alongside Heather O’Reilly.

The first U.S. goal came in the 19th minute as Abby Wambach drew a penalty kick.

USA veteran Kristine Lilly stepped up and hammered her spot kick into the right corner.

China answered back almost immediately, tying the game on a free kick taken by Liu Sa.

Han Duan got the slightest touch to the ball, re-directing her seven yard header low inside the far post.

The USA will next face Finland, a 3-0 loser to Sweden in the other Group B match, at Ferreiras on Friday.

Kickoff for that match is 4:15 PM local / 11:15 AM ET.

Fans can follow the match live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker

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