Aside from the US Team, I have seen Sweden play more than other team in the Tournament and at the 2003 World Cup I had a chance to meet a few of the girls and get some very sweet candids, but tonight my loyalties are clear.
Just like the North Koreans, the Swedish team came out on the attack. Most of the first 10 minutes were spent in front of the US goal. Our defense rose to every shot and crossing pass. Hope Solo was fierce in the goal almost as if to compensate for Tuesday’s draw. The intensity of five corner kicks in the first 10 minutes conveys the action.
In the 34th minute Kate Markgraf was fouled in the box and Abby took the penalty shot, firing it to the upper left corner as the Swedish goalie moved right.
In the 58th minute it was Abby again, while in full stride ahead of two defenders took a perfectly placed pass from Kristine Lilly. A slight bump from her chest and then a shot past the goalie.
There was no let up in action for the rest of the game, but the US controlled the ball and had a perfect defense, to finish with a 2-0 clean sheet.
The second game, equally exciting and at least as physical was the other half of group B, North Korea vs. Nigeria. With two goals early in the first half, the game looked like it may be reminiscent of the Germany / Argentina game earlier in the week or at least the Brazil / New Zealand game. But the Nigerians did anything but roll over for the North Koreans. Equally physical and more so upon occasion, although unable to finish one of their many chances they contained the North Koreans for the remainder of the game.
As we move to the third set Group B games on Tuesday, US and North Korea are tied with 4 points and a plus 2 goal differential each.
As I had breakfast with the Swedish journalists, I truly wished them my best wishes for their game against North Korea on Tuesday in Tianjin.
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