U.S. Wins Olympic Women's Soccer Opener

Aug. 11, 2004

HERAKLION, Greece - The U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team defeated Greece 3-0 in the opening match of the Athens Olympics in Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion, Greece. With the win, the U.S. sits atop the four-team Group G with three points, ahead of Brazil on goal differential.

The U.S. got on the scoreboard in the 14th minute as Mia Hamm sent in a low cross that Abby Wambach dummied, leaving it for Shannon Boxx, who buried it into the back of the net. Wambach doubled the USA's lead in the 30th minute finishing a header off a Kate Markgraf cross from the left fland.

The U.S. continued to pressure Greece's backline in the second half, but was only able to break through one more time when Hamm collected a bad touch by a Greece defender, dribbled in on goal and curled in a left-footed shot that the 'keeper got her fingertips to, but still hit the left post and trickled into the goal. 

The game, which was live on MSNBC, will also be aired on Telemundo on tape delay tonight at 6 p.m. ET. To read a running commentary on the game, click here for ussoccer.com's MatchTracker. The U.S. will take on Brazil, who beat Australia 1-0, next on Saturday, Aug. 14 live on CNBC at 11 a.m. ET. Fans will also be able to follow the match on MatchTracker. 

- U.S. Women's National Team Match Report - 

Scoring Summary:
                1    2      F
USA        2   1      3
GRE        0   0      0

USA - Shannon Boxx (Mia Hamm) 14th minute.
USA - Abby Wambach (Kate Markgraf) 30.
USA - Mia Hamm (unassisted) 81.

Lineups:
USA: 1-Briana Scurry; 3-Christie Rampone, 4-Cat Reddick, 14-Joy Fawcett, 15-Kate Markgraf; 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Aly Wagner (5-Lindsay Tarpley, 60), 11-Julie Foudy-C (8-Angela Hucles, 71) 13-Kristine Lilly; 9-Mia Hamm, 20-Abby Wambach (12-Cindy Parlow, 79).
Subs not used: 2-Heather Mitts, 6-Brandi Chastain, 17-Heather O'Reilly, 18-Kristin Luckenbill.
Head Coach: April Heinrichs.

GRE: 1-Maria GIATRAKIS; 4-Kalliopi STRATAKIS, 8-Konstantina KATSAITI, 13-Alexandra KAVVADA (14-Anastasia PAPADOPOULOU, 59), 16- Eleni BENSON; 2-Angeliki LAGOUMTZI, 3-Sophia SMITH, 6-Eftichia MICHAILIDOU - C, 12-Amalia LOSENO, 15-Tanya KALYVAS (10-Natalia CHATZIGIANNIDOU, 46); 11-Dimitra PANTELEIADOU (7-Vasiliki SOUPIADOU, 76).
Subs Not Used: 18-Ileana MOSCHOS, 5-Athanasia POURIDOU, 17-Maria LAZAROU, 9-Angeliki TEFANI.
Head Coach: Xanthi Konstandinidou

Statistical Summary:     
                                       USA      GRE
Shots:                              28           1
Shots on Goal:                11          0
Saves:                               0          6
Corner Kicks:                 10           3
Fouls:                                8           8
Offside:                             1           1

Misconduct Summary:
USA - Abby Wambach (caution)                   49th minute

2004 Athens Olympics 

Group G
Team               GP   W    L    T     GF    GA    +/-    Pts.
USA                  1      1    0     0      3       0       3       3
Brazil                 1      1    0    0      1       0       1       3
Australia            1     0    1     0      0       1       0       0
Greece              1     0    1     0      0       3       0       0      
 
Wednesday, Aug. 11
USA 3, Greece 0
Brazil 1, Australia 0

Saturday, Aug. 14
USA vs. Brazil
Greece vs. Australia

Tuesday, Aug. 17
USA vs. Australia
Brazil vs. Greece