Lindsay Tarpley scored in her first start in 11/2 years, Carli Lloyd added a second-half goal and the United States advanced to the Algarve Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Norway on Friday.
Tarpley started in place of Lauren Cheney, the only change from the lineup that opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Japan. The Americans outshot the Norwegians 17-5.
"I think the speed of play was so much better today for pretty much 90 minutes," U.S.coach Pia Sundhage said. "It was a little up-and-down in the first half and the beginning of the second, but we then regained the ball and played aggressively. This is the American attitude and mentality; playing hard, but also being sophisticated enough to create chances."
Tarpley scored in the 33rd minute after Rachel Buehler's long ball to Amy Rodriguez, who sent it into the penalty area. Rodriguez beat goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth to the ball and made a backheel flick to Tarpley, who put it into an open net from 9 yards.
Tarpley, had not started since July 22, 2009, against Canada. With her 28th international goal, she moved past Joy Fawcett into sole possession of 14th place on the American scoring list.
Lloyd doubled the lead with a 23-yard shot in the 63rd minute, her 25th international goal, after a centering pass by Megan Rapinoe.
The Americans (2-0) play Finland on Monday in their final first-round game, then are in the final two days later against Sweden, Iceland, Denmark or China. The U.S. has reached the final in the last nine Algarve Cups it has played.
Abby Wambach, returning from a heel injury, entered at the start of the second half for the second straight game.
The tournament is preparation for the World Cup in Germany, where the Americans open against North Korea on June 28, then play Colombia on July 2 and Sweden on July 6.
