U.S. women win 2011 World Cup opener with two second-half goals: A fan’s reaction

Posted Thursday, June 30, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

On Tuesday June 28, 2011, the U.S. Women's National Team defeated North Korea in their 2011 World Cup opener. They scored two second-half goals to win the match 2-0.

The U.S. broke the 0-0 tie in the 54th minute. The attack started on the U.S. side of the field, near the center circle. A long ball was played to Abby Wambach. Wambach gained control of the ball deep near the left corner flag. With very little pressure from the defender, she faked a left-footed cross that made the defender leave her feet for a block. That bought Wambach enough time to dribble to the edge of the 18-yard line and cross it to the 6-yard line. Waiting there was Lauren Cheney. Cheney appeared to be marked, but she had no trouble heading the ball to the left corner of the net. The defender watched the ball but did not make an attempt at it. The goal was a lesson for the young North Korean women, whose defensive breakdowns led to a textbook goal for the U.S.

The second goal came in the 76th minute. Alex Krieger tracked down a loose ball on the far right side, dribbled past the defender and continued toward the end line. Without hesitation, Krieger shot for goal and hit the center of the crossbar. Two U.S. players kept the ball alive inside the 18-yard line. The ball trickled out to Rachel Buehler near the top of the box. Without hesitation, Buehler took a hard diving shot that beat the goalkeeper to the lower left corner. North Korea had plenty of defenders in the penalty area. The defenders actually outnumbered the U.S. players in the active area. But the U.S. team was simply quicker and more aggressive to the ball. That gave them the opportunity to score the goal.

This was a great opening campaign for the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2011 World Cup. Their next match will be on July 2, 2011, against Colombia.