Dave Carey, The Examiner
2008-08-13 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

BALTIMORE -

The U.S. women’s soccer team was good and lucky on Tuesday.

After posting a 4-0 win over New Zealand, the team then clinched first-place in Group G when Japan drilled Norway, 5-1, minutes later.

The U.S. and Norway finished with identical 1-1-1 records, but the U.S.’s plus-3 goal differential was superior to Norway’s minus-1, giving it first place and ensuring the team doesn’t face defending World Cup champion Brazil in the quarterfinals. Brazil knocked the Americans out of the last World Cup.

“The whole team, and myself, have gained confidence every minute we’ve been together,” U.S. coach Pia Sundhage told reporters. “The good part of this road is that we have experienced both sides: losing and winning. That’s good going into the quarterfinals where it’s now or never.”

U.S. midfielder Heather O’Reilly opened the scoring in just 40 seconds, setting an Olympic record for the fastest goal to start a game. The Americans face Group E’s third-place team, Canada (1-1-1), on Friday morning at 6 in front of a worldwide television audience on USA Network.

Much Adu about nothing

Former Potomac resident and midfielder Freddy Adu won’t be available for the U.S. men’s soccer team as it chases its first Olympic medal.

Adu, along with midfielder Michael Bradley, picked up their second yellow cards in as many games in a 2-2 draw against the Dutch on Sunday morning.

The U.S. (1-0-1) must secure at least a draw against Nigeria (1-0-1) on Wednesday morning at 5 a.m. to advance to the elimination round for just the second time. If the U.S. loses, Japan (0-2-0) must at least tie the Dutch (0-0-2) for the Americans to remain in the competition.

America, however, will have the services of defender and former University of Maryland standout Maurice Edu, who has been one of the top players in the tournament.

“The best way to prepare for every game is to go out there and try and win,” Edu said. “We can’t worry about the other scenarios, we just have to go out there and win that game.”

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com