Game report

RIETI, Italy (Wednesday, March 7, 2001) - An 87th minute goal from substitute Silvia Tagliacarne ruined an inspired second-half effort from a young U.S. Women's National Team as the Americans fell to Italy, 1-0, at Centro d'Italia Stadium.

Italy came out in its usual low-pressure defense with hopes of winning the ball in midfield to counter-attack.
The young U.S. team helped the Italians with their tentative play and were unable to put the ball through to their midfielders and forwards losing possesion in midfield thus setting up many Italian counterattacks. Italy found their rhythm after 20 minutes and came at the Americans for the rest of the half. Patrizia "The Scorpion" Panico and Rita Guarino -- the more dangerous of the two -- each had their chances in the first half.
The U.S. defense of Reddick, Ally Marquand, Anna Kraus, and Jena Kluegel did a fine job of keeping the clamps on Panico, who is the leading scorer in the Italian first Division, and her with some physical play.

In the second half the young Americans played with more confidence and an aggressiveness that produced 25 fouls in the match. Just three minutes into the second half, Kluegel launched a cross from the left flank that Christie Welsh could not quite reach, hitting a soft shot right to Brenzen, Italy's 34-year-old captain.

USA had failed to take a shot in the first half, but had its first real chance of the game in the 53rd minute when Kluegel played a cross to the far post. Substitute Laura Schott got her head on the ball skimming it just wide of the goal. One minute later, Welsh tested Brenzen with a drive from distance that was easily saved.

Schott, who earned her first cap when she came on for Joanna Lohman in the second half, made a difference on the U.S. front line, possessing the ball and slipping several dangerous passes to her fellow strikers. Forward Stephanie Rigamat put in some inspired running in the second half, and almost broke through the defense several times on her own, but had to leave the game in stoppage time when she took a hard knock to the head after colliding with an Italian defender.

Eight U.S. players earned their first caps for the full national team as Marquand, Lohman, Marcie Ward and Devvyn Hawkins started, while 17-year old Lori Chalupny, 18-year-old Sara Randolph and Schott came on as subs.

Hawkins added some vital ball winning for the USA as she went the entire 90 minutes while the skillful Chalupny impressed in her debut, playing tough defense in the middle of the field. Randolph also played strong defense at outside right back after replacing Marquand in the 67th minute. Sixteen year-old Kristin Weiss replaced Rigamat to earn her first cap, but barely had the chance to break a sweat before the final whistle blew.

In the 76th minute, Solo came up with a huge save after Guarino's ripped shot off a corner kick was flying towards to the left corner. Solo made six saves for the USA and caught several tough balls in traffic, but her intimidating presence also played a part in forcing Italy to misfire on several close chances.
Italy broke through just three minutes from time. Tagliacarne collected the ball with her back to the goal at the top of the penalty area, then spun and volleyed into the roof of the net giving Solo had no chance

Post game quotes

U.S. Head Coach April Heinrichs

"In the first half we played with fear, in the second half we played with courage and risk taking with the ball at our feet and more players were willing to pass the ball forward. Everyone responded to this change and we created more chances in the second half. We were playing against women with a team that is obviously very young. There were physical differences and psychological differences between the two teams. International maturation doesn't always correspond with age, but while they are athletic, we have some very young players out there. I was very pleased with the second half. The game was great preparation for the Algarve Cup because Italy was as strong as any of the teams we will face in the first round of the tournament."

USA Captain Mary-Frances Monroe

"We definitely picked up our game in the second half for the first time, and played well . We were far more effective in our attacking and created some good chances to score. If we want to beat a team like Italy, which is one of the best in Europe, we must finish our chances."

Other

The U.S. Team will bus to Rome tomorrow morning for a flight to Lisbon, Portugal and then catch a flight to Faro in the Algarve region of the country.