[ALGARVE CUP] The USA got two goals in two minutes during the second half but needed goalkeeper Hope Solo to save a penalty kick in both halves to earn a 2-0 victory over Iceland in its opening match at the 2010 Algarve Cup in Portugal.

The Americans failed to convert their dominance into goals until the 60th minute when left back Meghan Schnur, making her U.S. debut, whipped in a cross that Iceland defender Sif Atladottir knocked into her goal.

Lauren Cheney scored one minute on a breakaway after being put through by substitute Lori Lindsey, who was playing in just her second game for the USA.

In the 12th minute, Solo dived to her right, stabbing her right hand down to turn Margret Vidarsdottir's shot away after Kat Whitehill had swept the feet of Vidarsdottir.

A wild melee took place in the final minute of stoppage time. Solo had her right arm stomped on, but defender Rachel Buehler was called for tugging an Iceland attacker’s jersey in the penalty area (and shown a yellow card).

As the penalty kick was taken, Solo took a step to her right and flew to the post to spectacularly knock down Berglind Bjorg Thorvaldsdottir's shot.

The shutout was the USA's 16th in the last 18 matches.

The U.S. women will face Norway in their second Group B contest on Friday in Olhao as they take another step toward a berth in the Algarve Cup championship game for the eighth year in a row.

Feb. 24 in Vila Real de San Antonio, Portugal
USA 2 Iceland 0. Goal: own goal 60, Cheney 61.
USA -- Solo, Whitehill, Buehler, LePeilbet, Schnur (Cox, 75), O’Reilly, Boxx (Nogueira, 75), Lloyd, Averbuch (Lindsey, 58), Cheney (Rodriguez, 66), Wambach.
Iceland -- Gunnarsdottir, Atladottir, Gudbjorg Vidarsdottir, Jonsdottir , Honnudottir, Magnúsdottir (Fridriksdottir, 89), Omarsdottir (Elinborg Ingvarsdottir, 85), Larusdottir (Logadottir, 64), Bjork Gunnarsdottir (Bjork Sigurdardottir, 81), Brynjarsdottir (Bjork Odinsdottir, 73), Vidarsdottir (Bjorg Thorvaldsdottir, 63).
Referee: Christine Beck (Germany)