The result may be recorded as a loss but at least the women have some sort of excuse. Not everybody can cope with the heat they had to play in when taking on the world champions, USA, in Columbus, Ohio. The final score may have been 8-2 for the home side but at least there was a spirited performance from the team wearing blue. They even managed to be on level terms at half time.
Fleeting had a hand in both Scotland goals
The experience of the Americans and how to deal with the heat was evident from the start. Cindy Parlow managed to put the Americans ahead in 14 minutes but Scotland did not crumble. They fought back with a shot from Joanne Love in 35 minutes only being parried away. No surprise to some on this site that is was San Diego Spirit and Scotland’s Julie Fleeting who reacted first and slotted home the rebound. Mia Hamm scored shortly after Scotland’s goal to regain the advantage for the American. Once again Fleeting was involved in fighting back to level the score. Fleeting sent in a cross on the 38 minute mark and Debbie McWhinnie fired the ball into the home net. Going in at half time with the score line of 2-2 must have encouraged Scotland but on the restart, the tide turned. The American took full advantage of the chance to freshen up their team with several substitutions. This time the Scots did not have any answer to the 6 goals that ended in their net. Hamm completed her hat trick and Abby Wanbach managed to get three as well. Shannon MacMillan scored the final goal.
This is not as embarrassing as the Faroes score line even though the men avoided defeat. Maureen McGonigle, the Scottish Women's Football Association's executive administrator, stressed that the women's football scene in Scotland was far from being in the doldrums. This kind of game allows the women to see how far they have to climb. They have made significant inroads to cut the deficit between the best and the rest. McGonigle is confident that progress will continue.
