US Women Blank Canada

GUANGZHOU, China (US Soccer) – The U.S. Women’s National Team started the Pia Sundhage era in style, scoring four goals in a 28-minute span during the second half – two each from forward Amy Rodriguez and midfielder Lindsay Tarpley – to defeat regional rival Canada, 4-0, in the opening match of the 2008 Four Nations Tournament in Guangzhou, China.

Sundhage, hired in mid-November as the sixth head coach in U.S. Women’s National Team history, gave first career caps to defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Ali Krieger, as well as a first-ever start to Rodriguez in what was the USA’s first match of 2008. The 20-year-old striker, who came into the game with five career caps and two FIFA youth world championships on her resume, rewarded her coach’s confidence with her first two goals at the senior level. Rodriguez broke open a scoreless game with goals in the 51st and 65th minutes.

“I’m very satisfied with the game today," said Sundhage. "It was a great battle in the first half. The talk at halftime as good, so it was nice for all of us to see the goals, and younger players scoring goals. For us, it was a good start. We tried to change the attack a little bit. We weren’t successful in the first half with the final pass, but the second half was much better and I am very happy about that.”