Goalkeeper Briana Scurry had one of the best matches of her career, producing several fantastic saves to deny Brazil throughout the afternoon, including a stellar tip over the bar just moments into the second half. With Scurry and the backline standing tall to stymie the Brazilian attack, Mia Hamm drew a foul in the penalty box late in the second half. Veteran midfielder Michelle Akers, who scored the first goal in U.S. Women’s National Team history back in 1985 and battled injury and illness throughout the 1999 World Cup, stepped up to the spot and buried her penalty kick in the 80th minute to give the Americans a 2-0 lead that they would not surrender. Then it was on to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
