U.S. beats South Africa, 1-0, in tuneup for Rio Olympics
Hope Solo got her 100th international shutout and Crystal Dunn scored in the 35th minute to lead the United States past South Africa 1-0 on Saturday at Soldier Field.
The match was a tuneup before next month’s Olympics. World Cup star Carli Lloyd returned for the first time since suffering a knee injury in April, playing part of the second half after entering as a substitute.
Solo thanked friends, family, coaches and fans on Twitter following the game, saying the accomplishment of 100 shutouts “speaks to a lifetime of work, of staying committed and determined, no matter what the challenges.”
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Solo, who also earned her 150th international victory, has been piling up shutouts for the U.S. for more than 16 years. Her first came in an 8-0 win over Iceland in Davidson, North Carolina, in April 2000. South Africa was the 29th country she has held scoreless.
She’s blanked both Canada and Mexico 10 times during her career. Ten shutouts have come in the World Cup and six in the Olympics.
It was the first meeting between South Africa and the U.S. in women’s soccer and was a fairly competitive match. Dunn was able to make her short-range shot after an impressive cross from Mallory Pugh.
The U.S. has one more game against Costa Rica on July 22 in Kansas City before leaving for the Olympics in Brazil.
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