Carson, CA (My Sportsbook) - The U.S. Women's National Team defeated China 1-0 at The Home Depot Center on Saturday as Tina Ellertson scored her first international goal in the 61st minute. Ellertson, a defender in her previous 32 caps for the USA, was handed her first start as striker and made the most of it. Amy Rodriguez set up the goal after she took the ball on the left from Shannon Boxx and dribbled into the penalty area. Rodriguez then played a low ball past Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Yanru and into the path of Ellertson, who slid and knocked the ball home from close range. Kristine Lilly returned to the USA lineup from a nearly 14-month hiatus after taking time off to have her first child, earning the veteran her 341st cap when she came on in the 55th minute. The United States controlled most of the match with China rarely threatening the USA net. China's best chance came in the 68th minute when Han Duan beat defender Kate Markgraf and got into the box on the right, only to fire her shot into the side netting. The win leaves the American women with a record of 32-1-1 for 2008, with the team's final match of the year coming on Wednesday in another friendly against China. |
