U.S. SOCCER: Women win their first Algarve Cup

The United States won its first Algarve Cup title thanks to a 1-0 victory over Norway March 18 in Loule, Portgual. The game’s lone goal came on a penalty kick converted by Brandi Chastain in the ninth minute after Mia Hamm was taken down in the Norway penalty area by goalkeeper Bente Nordby. Norway’s star forward Marianne Pettersen sat out with a broken nose she suffered in the 3-0 semifinal win over China. China beat Sweden, 1-0, for third place, Canada beat Denmark, 3-2, for fifth place and Finland beat host Portugal, 3-0, for seventh place. Algarve Cup Final March 18 in Loule, Portugal USA 1, Norway 0. Goal: Chastain (pen.) 9. USA — Mullinix, Fawcett, Overbeck (Slaton, 58), Sobrero, Chastain, Fair, Foudy, Lilly, MacMillan (Whalen, 78), Hamm (Parlow, 82), Milbrett. Norway — Nordby, Kvitland (Bekkevold, 70), Kringen (R. Gulbrandsen 83), Tonnessen, Saudaune, Riise, S. Gulbrandsen (Jorgensen, 49), Rapp (Ormen, 46), Mellgren, Haugenes (Fagereng, 46), Lehn. Ref.: Jonsson (Sweden) Att.: 850.