The United States Under-20 Women’s National Team tied host Holland, 1-1, at the Nordic Cup Aug. 3 and now faces a must-win match against Sweden on Friday in the world’s top competition for Under-20 women. The USA won the Nordic Cup last year, but needs a victory over Sweden on Friday, Aug. 7, to gain a place in the final, most likely against Norway, which defeated Germany, 1-0, in a crucial Group A contest. After the last day of group play on Friday, the group winners will play for the championship on Sunday, Aug. 9. The second-place finishers will play for 3rd place, the third-place finishers for 5th and the last-place finishers for 7th. In a cautious match that saw a combined 10 total shots, the USA controlled the first half and won nine total corner kicks to Holland’s zero. The Americans got their lone goal in the 26th minute, when forward Mandy Clemens (Santa Clara/San Diego, Calif.) was taken down in the penalty box. Lorrie Fair (North Carolina/Los Altos, Calif.) converted the penalty kick to give the USA the lead. Holland gained more of the play in the second half as the USA’s possession broke down at times, and the Dutch pulled even in the 57th minute through a scramble in the goal area. U.S. goalkeeper Lakeysia Beene (Notre Dame/Sacramento, Calif.) knocked down the first shot, but couldn’t smother the rebound, and Shirley Smith converted from close range to equalize. Cindy Parlow (North Carolina/Memphis, Tenn.) had a chance to win the match with about two minutes left, but dribbling from the left, missed her breakaway chance wide right from a sharp angle. “Holland is a much-improved team,” said U.S. Head Coach Lauren Gregg. “They fought hard and although they only had three shots on us, they did well to tie the match. I was pleased with the way we were able to get behind their defense consistently, but we didn’t convert any of our chances.” A draw or a loss against Sweden on Friday will relegate the USA to the third-place match or worse, while a win by any score will earn a place in the final. The USA beat Sweden, 3-0, in group play to open last year’s Nordic Cup. The U-20 Women’s National Team is made up of the country’s top collegiate players. “We were not satisfied with the tie,” said U.S. sweeper Jen Grubb, who has worn the captain’s band in the absence of the injured Michelle French (Portland/Kent. Wash), who saw her first action against Holland today, but is still recovering from a injured hamstring. “However, we’re still in good position on Friday against Sweden. It adds pressure, but it’s a situation we welcome and accept as one of the top teams in the world.” In other Group B action, Sweden defeated Finland, 2-1, to take control of first place. In the other Group A match, Denmark beat Iceland, 2-1. Norway needs just a draw with Iceland on Friday to win the group and earn a place in the final, and even a shocking loss could put them in the championship due to a vastly superior goal difference. Aug. 5 in Roden, Netherlands USA 1 Netherlands 1. Goal: Fair pen. 26; Smith 57. USA —Beene, Grubb, R. Fair (Baggett 64), L. Fair, Confer (French 46), McDowell (Whelchel 46), Streiffer (Schwoy 55), Roberts, Bush (McDonald 77), Parlow, Clemens. Netherlands — Van Pelt, Van der Laan (Dromel 90), Schuiling, Goudena, Burfer, Griffeon, Leenman, Weinans (Aalbers 46), Delies (Olumagba 46), Smith (De Pruyssenaere 57). Att.: 125.
Nordic Cup Scoreboard
Group A
Aug. 3 Norway 7 Denmark 1, Germany 5 Iceland 1 Aug. 5 Denmark 3 Iceland 1; Norway 1 Germany 0| TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| Norway | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 6 |
| Germany | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Denmark | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
| Iceland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
Group B
Aug. 3 —USA 1 Finland 0, Holland 0 Sweden 2. Aug. 5 —Sweden 2 Finland 1, USA 1 Holland 1.| TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| Sweden | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| USA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Finland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |