WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Meghan Klingenberg — not Hope Solo — made the biggest save of the night for the United States.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Meghan Klingenberg — not Hope Solo — made the biggest save of the night for the United States.
Klingenberg, a diminutive defender, leaped to head a shot by Sweden’s Caroline Seger. The ball hit the crossbar and caromed away from the goal.
Goal-line technology was used to confirm the ball never crossed the line.
The save in the 77th minute preserved the 0-0 draw with Sweden on Friday night in one of the most anticipated group-stage matches at the Women’s World Cup.
“Brilliant,” U.S. coach Jill Ellis said of Klingenberg’s heroics. “Believe it or not, we actually practice that.”
The match had been hyped beforehand as the showdown between the second-ranked United States and former coach Pia Sundhage, now coach of No. 5 Sweden. It did not disappoint in the furious second half.
Abby Wambach came off the bench, but her header in the 72nd minute was popped up and over the crossbar by Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
A win would have assured the United States a spot in the knockout round as the Americans seek their third World Cup title, but first since 1999. The U.S. women advanced to the final four years ago in Germany, but lost to Japan on penalty kicks.
The United States has one more group stage match, on Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia, against Nigeria. Sweden heads to Edmonton, Alberta, for its final group match with Australia. The monthlong tournament, with an expanded field of 24 teams, is being played in six Canadian cities.
The U.S. leads the Group D standings with four points, following a 3-1 victory over No. 10 Australia in the opener. Sweden was surprised in its opener by No. 33 Nigeria, which erased a 2-0 halftime deficit for a 3-all tie.
Earlier Friday the Matildas defeated Nigeria 2-0.
The World Cup is being played as FIFA deals with an ongoing corruption scandal sparked by the U.S. Department of Justice indictment of 14 people with racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering and other offenses. Swiss prosecutors are leading a separate probe into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is not at the tournament, announced last week that he plans to step down once an election is held for a successor.
Mexico-Bolivia ends scoreless at Copa America
VINA DEL MAR, Chile — Mexico and Bolivia played a lackluster 0-0 draw Friday in the second match of the Copa America, the South American championship.
The result was disappointing for Mexico, which is playing what amounts to its B team but was still a favorite to beat Bolivia, which has not won a match in this tournament since 1997.
Mexico’s best players like Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez are being held out for next month’s Gold Cup in the United States.
Bolivia had clear scoring chances, particularly in the first half, while Mexico’s best opportunity came early in the second half when substitute Raul Jimenez headed just wide in the Group A match.
Mexico defender Rafael Marquez, playing his fifth Copa America, went off early in the second half with an apparent injury.