Christen Press (pictured) scored in the USA's win over France in the Algarve Cup final on March 11, 2015, in Faro, Portugal. (Photo: Brad Smith/isiphotos.com
FARO, Portugal -- Julie Johnston and Christen Press scored first-half goals and goalkeeper Hope Solo saved a late penalty kick as the United States won the Algarve Cup title, defeating France 2-0 in the final at the Estadio Algarve on Wednesday.
The Americans earned their 10th crown in the annual women’s tournament.
Johnston recorded her first international goal in the seventh minute. Midfielder Lauren Holiday launched a 23-yard free kick from the left side into the middle of the six-yard box, enabling the 22-year-old defender to head past goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi for a 1-0 lead.
Press doubled the advantage with her 20th international goal in the 41st minute. Solo started scoring sequence with a free kick to Amy Rodriguez, who sent the ball toward Press. The forward weaved her way through three defenders, before slipping a shot into the lower right corner for a 2-0 margin.
Solo was outstanding throughout the encounter, denying Camille Abily in the 22nd and 35th minutes, punching away Kheira Hamraoui's attempt in the 40th minute and tipping Laure Boulleau's shot off the crossbar in the 71st minute.
With nine minutes left in normal time, however, Solo made the biggest stop of the game. After defender Meghan Klingenberg was whistled for a foul against Marie-Laure Delie in the penalty area, Amandine Henry saw her subsequent penalty be saved by the 33-year-old with a dive to her right.
In February, with Solo serving a 30-day suspension, France posted a 2-0 win over the visiting U.S. in an international friendly.
The USA next will host New Zealand in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4.
NOTES: The USA will try to become the first team to win the Algarve Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the same year.