Sixth unbeaten season within reach

• by Soccer America , Oct 30, 2013

[USA-NEW ZEALAND] The USA will look to extend its unbeaten streak for the year to 15 games and to 38 games since its last loss in March 2012 when it hosts New Zealand in the second game of a two-game series Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio.

The Americans, who have two games left in the 2013 season, are seeking their fourth unbeaten season in the last decade -- and their sixth unbeaten season in the program's history.

Amazingly, they have lost only nine games in the last decade -- a span of 217 games.

Unbeaten Seasons:
YEAR: W-L-T
1989: 0-0-1
1990: 6-0-0
2005: 8-0-1
2006: 18-0-4
2009: 7-0-1
2013: *12-0-2
*two games remaining

The USA won the first game against the Ferns by a 4-1 score Sunday at San Francisco's Candlestick Park in front of more than 16,000 fans. It will finish its 2013 schedule against Brazil on Nov. 10 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

HEATH UPDATE. Midfielder Tobin Heath, who scored the winning goal for Portland in the 2013 NWSL championship game, was ruled out of the New Zealand games because of issues with a right foot injury that has continued to bother her since her return to French club Paris St. Germain. She will now rest her foot for an extended period of time. Coach Tom Sermanni has kept defender Leigh Ann Robinson for both of the New Zealand games in place of Heath.