THESSALONIKI, Greece - Run ragged and thoroughly outplayed most of the game, the U.S. team escaped with a victory that set off a few warning bells in its quest for gold.
A foul set up Mia Hamm's penalty kick in the 58th minute, and Abby Wambach scored in the 77th to give the United States a 2-0 victory over Brazil on Saturday, when most of the speed, energy and creativity belonged to the Brazilians.
"Brazil came with a gusto in the first half that we didn't have," U.S. coach April Heinrichs said. "And we responded. I like the way we responded."
The win secures a U.S. berth in the quarterfinals. The Americans can clinch their group and the high seed with a win or tie against Australia on Tuesday.
But Wambach, who has scored 16 goals in 17 games, won't play Tuesday. Wambach received a yellow card for a foul on Elaine in the 49th minute, giving the forward two yellow cards in the first round and a one-game suspension.
The Americans, weary from chasing the ball in the 94-degree heat, got the break they needed when Wambach, chasing a pass from Julie Foudy, was tripped by Monica in the corner of the penalty area some 20 yards from the goal. Czech referee Dagmar Damkova awarded the penalty, which Hamm stroked into the bottom right corner.
The goal energized the Americans, who played on par with the Brazilians the rest of the match. The highlight came when Wambach threaded defenders Monica and Juliana along the right flank and put a left-footed 12-yard shot just inside the near post.
