US Women Slip By Iceland

Kai Scores Late in Regulation to Snare Victory for Americans

March 7, 2009

FERREIRAS, Portugal – Forward Natasha Kai scored a spectacular goal in the last minute of regulation time to give the U.S. Women’s National Team a dramatic 1-0 victory over Iceland in the second game of the 2009 Algarve Cup.

The U.S. victory, combined with Denmark’s 2-0 win against Norway, clinched Group B for the Americans and a berth in the championship game on March 11.

Natasha Kai

Natasha Kai scored the lone goal in the USA's 1-0 win over Iceland. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com).

The wind played a major factor against Iceland with the USA attacking into the teeth of it during the first half. With the wind at its back in the second half, Kai’s goal came after an extended period of U.S. chances during the last 45 minutes.

Iceland was just hanging on at the end of the game, but surely its players were thinking that they had earned a point when a desperate clearance was settled by U.S. captain Christie Rampone on the left edge of the center circle in the USA’s attacking half.

She spied Kai making a run into the penalty area and drove an inch-perfect pass over the top of the Iceland defense to the U.S. forward. Kai brought the ball down on her chest just a step inside the penalty area, let it bounce once and then lifted it over an onrushing Iceland defender. Kai then darted past the defender and ripped a left-footed half-volley into the right corner from 12 yards out. A frenzied U.S. celebration ensued.

The USA is currently first in Group B with six points, followed by Iceland and Denmark with three each. The Americans’ final first round game is against Norway.

The U.S. advances to its unprecedented seventh straight Algarve Cup championship game and will face either Germany or Sweden in the final, the Germans needing a win or tie to advance and Sweden having to win outright.

U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GAME REPORT

Scoring Summary:
USA – Natasha Kai (Christie Rampone) 90th minute

Lineups:
USA: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 2-Heather Mitts, 3-Christie Rampone – Capt., 7-Shannon Boxx, 17-Lori Chalupny; 15-Megan Rapinoe, 16-Angela Hucles (4-Rachel Buehler, 84), 10-Carli Lloyd, 12-Angie Woznuk (9-Heather O’Reilly, 46), 19-Tina DiMartino (5-Lindsay Tarpley, 46), 8-Amy Rodriguez (6-Natasha Kai, 68).

ISL: 12-Gudbörg Gunnarsdóttir; 2-Gúdrun Gunnarsdóttir, 3-Ólina Gudbjörg Vidarsdóttir, 8-Katrin Jonsdóttir – Capt., 18-Sif Altadóttir (14-Erna Björk Sigurdardóttir, 36); 4-Edda Gardarsdóttir, 6- Hólmfridur Magnusdóttir (17-Rakel Hönnudóttir, 64), 7-Dóra Stefansdóttir, 10-Dóra Maria Larusdóttir (16-Erla Steina Arnardóttir, 91+), 11-Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (20-Katrin Ómarsdóttir, 45); 9-Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir.

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