Rodriguez gives U.S. women 1-0 victory, spot at Women's World Cup

Congratulations to the U.S. Women's National Team for making the 2011 Women's World Cup! :thumbs:


Posted: Saturday November 27, 2010 4:13PM ; Updated: Saturday November 27, 2010 5:53PM

Rodriguez gives U.S. women 1-0 victory, spot at Women's World Cup

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) -- The U.S. is on its way to the Women's World Cup after beating Italy 1-0 Saturday on a first-half goal by Amy Rodriguez.

The Americans won the home-and-home playoff on 2-0 aggregate to earn the last spot in the 16-nation World Cup, which will be played June 26 to July 17 in Germany. The draw is Monday in Frankfurt.

"Obviously this was a little different road than we had expected,'' forward Abby Wambach told the crowd after the final whistle. "But this team has resilience. We never gave up. We never lost belief in ourselves.''

The top-ranked Americans were in danger of missing the tournament they've won twice after a stunning upset loss to Mexico in the semifinals of regional qualifying. It was just their second loss since the 2007 World Cup, and first since the opening game of the Beijing Olympics, which the Americans went on to win.

"I think the country always thinks, 'Oh, the U.S. always goes, they're so good,''' Julie Foudy, part of the pioneering squad that won the 1991 and 1999 World Cups, said before the game. "When we stumble, they don't realize the rest of the world is getting much better.''

Forced to beat Costa Rica in the regional third-place game and given a second chance with a playoff against the Azzurre, Europe's fifth-place team, the Americans -- just barely -- showed why they have been at the top of the game for two decades now.

When the final whistle sounded, several players raised their arms in triumph while the crowd of 9,508 roared.

- rest at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/11/27/uswnt.italy.ap/

 

U.S. Women to Face Korea DPR, Colombia and Sweden in Group C at 2011 World Cup

A pretty tough draw for Team USA.

www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2010/11/US-Women-to-Face-Korea-DPR-Colombia-and-Sweden-in-Group-C-at-2011-FIFA-WWC-in-Germany.aspx