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U.S. women’s soccer team shuts out Brazil

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It took a powerful kick by USC’s Amy Rodriguez in the 71st minute, but that finally got the U.S. women’s soccer team on the scoreboard as they held on to beat powerhouse Brazil ,1-0, today in an exhibition match in Commerce City, Colo.

It was sixth straight shutout for the U.S., which is 21-0 in match play this year.

The teams meet again Wednesday in San Diego in their last match before the Olympics. The U.S. begins Olympic play on Aug. 6 against Norway.

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“Any time we go out on the Olympic or national level it’s important to us,” said Rodriguez, who has five goals in 17 games this year. “Every win counts, and with every game we want to get better so not only is the win important but the overall play and chemistry of the team. We just want to be ready for the Olympics.”

Of her winning goal, she said, ‘I wasn’t really expecting that ball to pop through. Fortunately, the defender took a bad touch and let it sneak by to me and I was able to hit it first time and it went in, so I was excited.”

Abby Wambach had sent a pass through the box to Rodriguez, and Brazil defender Tania initially blocked the ball onlt to see it squirt away -- to Rodriguez, who fired a high blast that was out of the reach of Brazil’s goaltender.

The U.S. has been impressive under new coach Pia Sundhage: 10 straight wins and the team hasn’t allowed a goal since a 2-1 victory over Australia on June 15.

-- Debbie Goffa

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