Video: USA 1 –Italy 0 (Women’s World Cup Qualifier Highlights)

Former champions the United States became the final team to qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Saturday with a 1-0 (2-0 on aggregate) win over Italy in Chicago.

Amy Rodriguez scored for the hosts in the 40th when she slotted home a rebound of Megan Rapinoe’s shot past Azzure goalkeeper Anna Picarelli from six yards out.

The USA outshot Italy 17-5 over the course of the match but was denied time and time again by Picarelli’s heroics and poor finishing. Italy had three decent opportunities on goal but was mainly outplayed by the fitter and more technical American players.

Photo: US WNT Blog

Lineups:
USA: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 2-Heather Mitts (16-Ali Krieger, 76), 6-Amy LePeilbet, 3-Christie Rampone (Capt.), 4-Rachel Buehler; 9-Heather O’Reilly, 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Carli Lloyd, 15-Megan Rapinoe (12-Lauren Cheney, 59); 8-Amy Rodriguez, 17-Abby Wambach
Subs not used: 1-Jill Loyden, 5-Alex Morgan, 11-Lori Lindsey, 13-Kristine Lilly, 14-Stephanie Cox
Head Coach: Pia Sundhage

Italy: 1-Ana Maria Picarelli; 2-Sara Gama, 3-Roberta D’Adda (15-Alia Guagni, 46), 4-Alessia Tuttino, 5-Elisabetta Tona, 6-Laura Neboli, 7-Giulia Domenichetti, 8-Carolina Pini (18-Silvia Fuselli, 53), 9-Patrizia Panico (Capt.), 10-Pamela Conti, 11-Elisa Camporese
Subs not used: 12-Sara Penzo, 13-Raffaella Manieri, 14-Marta Carissimi, 16-Viviana Schiavi, 17-Evelyn Vicchiarello
Head Coach: Pietro Ghedin

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5cpZtPoFok&w=560&h=340]