U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Defeats France

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team began their campaign in the Algarve Cup in Portugal on Sunday by decisively defeating France 5-1. Abby Wambach, the new star of the U.S. team, scored the first goal for the United States in the 16th minute following a free kick from her teammate, Mia Hamm. Mia Hamm also scored the second goal for the U.S. 11 minutes later with a penalty kick. Wambach's goal was her 20th for the national team, achieved in just 31 international matches. Angela Hackett scored two more goals for the U.S., one of which was a header from a corner taken by Mia Hamm, and Lindsey Tarpley added another goal to the U.S. tally. The halftime score was 4-0. This marks the ninth appearance of the U.S. women's team in the Algarve Cup, one of the most prestigious women's soccer tournaments. The U.S. team won this cup in 2000 and 2003. The 20-member U.S. team includes 17 players who will compete in the summer Olympic Games in Athens. Notably, Joy Faust, defender of the U.S. team, and midfielders Christiane Lilly and Heather O'Reilly are not participating in the Algarve Cup. In this tournament, the U.S. women's team is placed in Group A, with upcoming matches against Denmark and Sweden, the finalists of the 2003 Women's World Cup. Group B includes the national teams of Norway, Finland, Italy, and China. The winners of the two groups will meet in the Algarve Cup final on March 20.