 The United States faced Brazil in the semi @-@ finals in what would become a controversial and game @-@ changing match for the team . Coach Greg Ryan decided to bench starting goalkeeper , Hope Solo , and instead started Brianna Scurry , a veteran goalkeeper who had started in three World Cups and two Olympics , but who had started very few matches since the 2004 Olympics . The U.S. was defeated 4 – 0 by Brazil . The loss relegated them to a final match against Norway , which they won 4 – 1 , to secure third place standing at the tournament . Wambach scored a brace with goals in the 30th and 46th minutes . She ended the tournament having scored six goals in six matches , despite her head injury and a previous foot injury suffered during a friendly match against Finland just a month prior to the World Cup . 
