Wambach Leads U.S. Past Sweden

(Soccer365.com) Abby Wambach scored a goal on each side of halftime as the United States women's national team defeated Sweden 2-0 on Friday at Chengdu Sports Center Stadium in China. With the win the U.S. moves to the top of the tough Group B table with North Korea and Nigeria playing later in the evening.

Wambach's first goal came from the penalty mark in the 34th minute and was largely due to an error on the part of Sweden goalkeeper, Hedvig Lindahl. After Kate Markgraf sent a long ball in the box, Lindahl was over zealous in charging the ball and saw it bounce over her head. Lori Chalupny took advantage of the error and was taken down by Stina Segerstrom inside the 6 yard box.

On the ensuing kick, Wambach sent the keeper in the wrong direction as she calmly slotted home to the left side. The PK was the first awarded thus far in this year's Women's World Cup.

Despite the halftime lead, head coach Greg Ryan could not be completely pleased as the Red, White and Blue started off slowly allowing the #3 team in the world to get several chances on goal and 5 corner kicks in the first 20 minutes of play.

The U.S. opened the second half looking more confident and worked the ball better and pressured the Swedish goal more consistently. And their work paid off in the 58th minute off a beautiful goal from Wambach.

The forward made a great run into the box and Kristine Lilly found her with a perfectly weighted ball. Wambach took the ball off her chest and half volleyed a left footed blast from 12 yards out past a helpless Lindahl.

The goal was the 80th for Wambach and her third of this World Cup.

With the two goal advantage the U.S. put the game in cruise control, playing with even more confidence, while Sweden seemed almost content with the result by showing no urgency to cut into the lead by sending more players into the attack.

In the 79th minute, Hope Solo did well to punch a dangerous cross over the bar to help preserve the cleansheet.

Nigeria is up next for the U.S. The two teams face off on September 18 at Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium.

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