U.S. beats Germany to win Algarve Cup
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-16 15:44

Christie Welsh scored the game's only goal and the United States women's team won its third straight Algarve Cup title Tuesday, edging Germany 1-0.

 

United States captain Kristine Lilly holds the trophy aloft while teammates celebrate their victory at the women's soccer Algarve Cup final, Tuesday March 15, 2005, at the Algarve stadium, outside Faro, southern Portugal. USA won 1-0 over Germany.[AP]

                        
Welsh met a pass from Aly Wagner and hit a low drive into the net in the 23rd minute for her fifth goal of the tournament.

Germany, the World Cup champion and the top-ranked team in the world, controlled most of the game as the Americans soaked up the pressure and launched counterattacks.

"We did very well. I wanted to do my part to win," Welsh said. "You have to fight and I feel that I do, and our hard work paid off."

Germany's Birgit Prinz, two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and a former WUSA star, had her team's best chance in the 16th minute but struck her shot just wide of the goal. Prinz was voted best player of the tournament.

The United States, which edged Germany in a semifinal at the 2004 Olympics on its way to the gold medal, has won this international tournament four times in the past six years. But this was the first title without retired stars Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett.

It was also the first tournament for interim coach Greg Ryan, who took over when April Heinrichs resigned in February.

"I'd like to be head coach. I can work well with this team," Ryan said. "This performance was the benchmark. The key is to continue with this young, new team."

The Americans didn't allow a goal during their four games in southern Portugal. They previously had blanked Finland, France and Denmark in group B games.

In the placement matches, France beat Sweden 3-2 for third place.

Norway overcame Denmark 2-1 to take fifth place, while England defeated China 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw for seventh.

Mexico edged Finland 6-5 on penalties to finish ninth, and Portugal won 3-1 against Northern Ireland to finish 11th.

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