Norway defeats US women's Olympic soccer team

News Type: Event — Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:54 PM EDT

sports, football, soccer, olympics, beijing, norway, us-soccer, uswnt

Can Natasha Kai (pictured) score goals for the US in Abby Wambach's absence?

Norway netted two goals in the first five minutes of the match and then cruised to an easy 2-0 win over the US Women's National Team.

Laursen Kaurin gave Norway an early lead with her goal in the second minute of play. From a lofty chip pass Kaurin headed the ball into goal from about 6 yards right out in front of goal. She out-jumped US defender Lori Chalupny who seemed at a loss as to how to defend the play. Also US goalkeeper Hope Solo seemed indecisive as to how to play the ball. Should she hold her line or advance out to the play? Ultimately Solo left her line but failed to catch the ball or fist it away.

Then just two minutes later Norway scored again. Melissa Wiik took the ball near midfield and dribbled down the right side of the field and shot the ball from about 18 yards. Her shot went past an outstretched Solo and into the upper far corner of the goal to earn Norway a 2-0 lead.

By the end of the first half the US women's defense seemed to find their composure but their offense was lackluster throughout the match. The one bright spot for the US on offense was Natasha Kia. She hustled and pushed forward the entire game but she rarely had support. Several times Kia took a long ball in the attacking third of the field and was left all alone.

The US team will have to get their act together real fast, they face Japan Saturday (5:00am ET, USA Network).

- - - -

The Big Picture

Format - Women's Soccer
There are three groups of four teams. (The US WNT is in Group G along with Norway, Japan and New Zealand.) Each team plays the other teams in their group once.
The top two teams in each group plus two wild cards move on to the knock-out phase (quarter finals then semi-finals and final). Competition Format in detail.

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2.4

{"commentId":2382941,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

Michael Sautter

US Men's Olympic Team plays tomorrow morning, I plan on watching it.

{"commentId":2382941,"threadId":"326989","contentId":"1725576","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}

1 vote

#1 - Wed Aug 6, 2008 3:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":2383173,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

Dr Know

Abby Qambach is being missed badly.

{"commentId":2383173,"threadId":"326989","contentId":"1725576","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

2 votes

#2 - Wed Aug 6, 2008 4:06 PM EDT

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	Norway scores early to beat US 2-0	Associated Press	Wed Aug 6	0
	US men's soccer team gets by Japan in first match	Michael Sautter	Thu Aug 7	1

MICHAEL SAUTTER

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Norway defeats US women's Olympic soccer team

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