Behind an up-tempo attack and a goal from Rochester, N.Y. native Abby Wambach, Team USA women's soccer defeated France, 4-2, in its Olympic Games opener. The victory should help USA (1-0) take command of Group G, which features France (0-1), North Korea and Colombia. Team USA is looking for its third straight gold medal.
USA's Alex Morgan scored two goals while Carli Lloyd, a Derlan, NJ native and Rutgers University alum, tallied the would-be game winner at the 55-minute mark. Wambach's score came on a header (18-feet) that cut an early two-goal, French advantage to 2-1. From there, it was all Team USA as Morgan tied the contest, 2-2, at the 31-minute mark. Lloyd then gave her squad the lead and Morgan cemented the victory with a tally with about 20 minutes remaining.
The win gives Team USA three points in the Group G standings and put them in solid position to finish first. If USA is to finish first, it earns the right to play the third-place finisher of Group E or Group F.
Wambach and Team USA will take the pitch again on Saturday, when it faces Colombia at noon ET.
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Olympic Women's Soccer: USA Defeats France Despite Early Deficit (via sbnation)