The U.S. women's national team beat host China, 2-0, to win Four Nations Tournament. U.S. captain Kristine Lilly, playing in her 302nd career game, scored both U.S. goals in front of 15,000 fans in Guangzhou.
China finished second, France third and Norway fourth.
"The mentality of this team is to look at any situation like this and just step out with a determination to win the day, and that's what they did," said U.S. coach Greg Ryan. "I don't think the crowd affected them, I don't think the cold affected them. I could see it in their faces and eyes before the game started, there was that additional focus and determination to win this game today. You don't always get the breaks, but I knew they would do everything they needed to do to win it."
Four Nations Tournament
Jan. 22 in Guangzhou, China.
USA 2 China 0
Goals: Lilly (pen)24, Lilly (Welsh) 41.
USA – Hope Solo, Heather Mitts, Tina Frimpong, Amy LePeilbet, Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx, Lindsay Tarpley (Leslie Osborne, 84), Aly Wagner, Abby Wambach, Christie Welsh (Heather O'Reilly, 75), Kristine Lilly.
China – Han Wen Xia, Wang Kun (Liu Ya Li, 46), Li Jie, Bi Yan, Zhang Ying (Qu Fei Fei, 46), Han Duan, Bai Li Li, Pan Li Na, Ma Xioa Xu (Guo Yue, 73), Liu Hua Na, Yuan Fan (Sun Yong Xia, 84).
Stats: USA/China
Shots: 14/9
Shots on Goal: 6/5
Saves: 5/3
Corner Kicks: 4/5
Fouls: 8/3
Offside: 3/0
Misconduct Summary: None
Officials
Referee: Ann Helene Ostervold (Norway)
AR 1: Li Hong Juan (China)
AR 2: Deng Jun Xia (China)
Attendance: 15,000
2006 Four Nations Tournament Awards
Best Coach: Greg Ryan, USA
Best Player: Kristine Lilly, USA
Top Scorer: Kristine Lilly, USA (3 goals)
Best Goalkeeper: Hope Solo, USA