Pros

U.S. Tops Nigeria, Wins Group B
Win sends Americans to Quarterfinals against England
September 18, 2007
SHANGHAI, China – The U.S. Women's National Team got a goal just 53 seconds into the match against Nigeria Tuesday then held on the rest of the way for a 1 -0 victory that earned the Americans first place in Group B and a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2007 FIFA World Cup.

The U.S. took first place in a very difficult Group B after securing seven points in three group matches. However, the reward for their efforts is a dubious one – the Americans must face Group A runner-up England in the quarterfinals Saturday in Tianjin.

The U.S. Women's National Team won Group B after Tuesday's 1-0 win over Nigeria.

Still, the U.S. made it through the first round without a loss, the only setback a minor one in the form of a 2-2 tie with North Korea, the other team to advance from Group B despite a 2-1 loss to Sweden Tuesday.

“I am very proud of my players because this is a very difficult group," said U.S. coach Greg Ryan. "[Tuesday's] games allow us to go first in our group, which was an important goal for our team. To go through without a loss in this group, I'm very, very happy that we've reached this stage."

Playing in rainy and slippery conditions for the second time in three games, the Americans got a quick start nevertheless, scoring inside the first minute after earning a throw-in deep on the left sideline.

Defender Cat Whitehill tossed the ball on a loop toward the six yard box where forward Abby Wambach flicked it on with her head. The ball fell to Chalupny, who took it down with her chest and toe-poked a shot that took a deflection off a Nigerian defender's leg and into the lower left corner from six yards away.

It was Chalupny's fifth career international goal, and her first in a Women's World Cup. It was also the second fastest goal at the beginning of a match in Women's World Cup history.

While the crafty and speedy Nigerians had the edge in possession, the USA had more dangerous chances, out-shooting the African champions, 16-10, while putting six shots on goal. The USA also had four dangerous headers, two by Wambach and one each from Kristine Lilly and Shannon Boxx, that missed the frame. Nigeria had just two shots on frame during the entire match.

U.S. keeper Hope Solo came up with a big save with five minutes left in the match when Rita Chikwelu got on the end of a cross from the right flank for a far post header that Solo first saved, and then corralled in a mad goal mouth scramble during which she was fouled. She also had to secure a skipping cross on the ground in the 87th minute.

The Americans killed most of the last few minutes by holding the ball deep in the right corner, a tactic for which Wambach paid the price, getting kicked several times and hit in the face by the scrambling Nigerians.

The USA will not travel to Tianjin tomorrow because of the impending arrival of typhoon Wipha that is scheduled to hit Shanghai in the early morning hours. The U.S. team will spend the day in Shanghai waiting for the storm to blow over before heading north to Tianjin on Thursday.