For the first time ever, the USA didn't finish among the top three teams at a women's world championship. For the second straight game, Tim Schulz's Americans fell in a shootout, losing to Brazil, 6-5, after the third-place game ended in a 0-0 tie. The shootout went eight rounds but not before Swedish referee Jenny Palmqvist, who officiated the 2004 Olympic gold-medal game, mistakenly awarded the contest to the Brazilians after Amy Rodriguez missed in the seventh round.

North Korea won its first soccer world championship when it crushed China, 5-0, in the final of the Under-20 Women's World Championship in heavy rain at Moscow's Lokomotiv Stadium on Sunday.

Kim Song Hui led North Korea with a hat trick. Kil Son Hui and Jo Yun Mi also scored for the Koreans, who led, 3-0, at halftime. China started the game with star Ma Xiaoxu on the bench. Ma won both the Golden Ball (MVP) and Golden Boot (leading scorer) awards.

Despite starting only two games, UCLA's Danesha Adams won the Bronze Ball, finishing third in MVP balloting. Also named to the Under-20 Women's World Championship All-Tournament team were Americans Val Henderson (UCLA) and Amanda Poach (Santa Clara).

REACTION:

U.S. head coach Tim Schulz
 On rebounding from losing in the semifinal:
“Without question, it is difficult. There are 16 teams that come here to play for first place and anything short of that, I would think that would be a disappointment for any team. I am very pleased with my girls that their eyes were on first place. Yes, they were disappointed (after losing in the semifinal), but after a day or two they were focused and back on track. It’s a very resilient, tough team and I am very proud of them.”

On the tournament:
“Of course, I am disappointed in the results. Like the players, I wanted first place, but with the development of the team, I’m very pleased. We started about seven months ago (and if that time), I have two jobs, one is to win a world championship but the other is to produce players for the senior team. I think several of the players are ready for that jump and that step.”

On the match:
“It was a pretty even match with two skillful teams. It went back and forth. Unfortunately, the rain came and that took away some of the skills.”
 
On the growth of the women’s game:
“The women’s game has seen tremendous growth and improvement, especially outside of the United States. For me, it’s exciting to see the parity. France and Germany and the United States were favored to win this tournament and then you have North Korea and China playing for the championship. I think it’s tremendous for the women’s game.”

USA-BRAZIL GAME SUMMARY:

Sept. 3 in Moscow
USA 0 Brazil 0 (Brazil wins 6-5 on penalties).
USA — Henderson, Lopez, Dew, Krzysik, Heath, DiMartino (Angeli, 85), Poach, Long, O’Hara (Adams, 46), Cheney, Rodriguez.
Brazil — Barbara, Daiane, Monica, Aliane, Danielle. Erika, Francielle, Renata Costa, Stephane (Pamela, 62), Fabiana, Maurine.
Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden).
Att.: 8,500.