The U.S. under-21 womenÆs national team had to settle for a 1-1 tie with Iceland in the second group match for both teams at the 2006 Nordic Cup in Norway.
UCLA's Danesha Adams tallied on a penalty kick for the lone U.S. score. IcelandÆs Margaret Vidarsdottir had scored ioff a direct free kick after Adams had fouled a player about 25 yards from the net. The U.S. forward was shown a yellow card on the play.
The tie gave both teams four points after two matches. The USA faces Norway and Iceland meets Denmark in the final Group B matches on Thursday.
It was only the second time in history that Iceland tied with the USA at any women's level. In 2000, the USA and Iceland senior teams tied 0-0 in Charlotte, N.C.
ôCredit to Iceland, they battled us for every ball and got numbers behind the ball extremely well,ö said U.S. U-21 coach Jillian Ellis. ôWe struggled to unlock them in the first half, but came out a sharper team after the break. We had some terrific opportunities but we just couldnÆt finish them off.ö
In the Group A matches, Germany defeated Finland, 3-0, while England tied Sweden, 1-1. Germany needs just a tie in its last group game against England to earn a spot in the championship game. The English will advance to their first Nordic Cup title game if they can upset the powerful Germans, who have not won the Nordic Cup since 1995.
July 18 in Algard
USA 1 Iceland 1. Goals: Adams pen. 50; Vidarsdottir 35.
USA — Henderson, Wilmoth, Buehler, Fletcher, Huffman (Keselica, 46), Taylor, Gray, Woznuk (Cinalli, 76), Adams, Weimer (Davis, 46), Trotter (Griffin, 70).
Iceland — Gunnarsdottir, Odinsdottir, Sigurdardottir, Arnadottir, Magnusdottir (Atladottir, 60), Arnarsdottir, O.Vidarsdottir, M.Vidarsdottir, Larusdottir, Samuelsdottir (Kristinsdottir, 56), Omarsdottir.
Referee: Saija Raatikainen (Finland).
Att.: 100.