USA vs. Norway Women's Soccer: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 Algarve Cup

Carli Lloyd scored a pair of second-half goals to lead the United States to a 2-1 victory over Norway in its first match at the 2015 Algarve Cup.

Both national teams will take part in the Women's World Cup, which starts in June. This tournament serves as a warm-up competition for that marquee event and is especially important for the Americans after some lackluster form as of late.

Laura Vecsey of Fox Sports passed along comments from head coach Jill Ellis ahead of the opener. She talked about getting the squad to start playing its best soccer at the right time.

"This tournament is very important," Ellis said. "For me, since I'm in charge now, this was about us finding our form and putting us in the toughest environments as much as possible so that we could maximize what we can do and evaluate certain pieces."

The United States announced ahead of the fixture that it would be without longtime defender Christie Rampone. She's working back toward full strength after an injury:

It also marked the return to game action for goalkeeper Hope Solo. She recently finished serving her 30-day suspension from U.S. Soccer for an incident during a team training camp.

Her first key touch was a shaky one as she rushed off her line into a crowd of players and was unable to corral the ball. It bounced loose in the box but, luckily for the United States, Ali Krieger was there to block the Norwegian shot attempt.

After that initial chance, the Americans were able to control most of the play. Krieger did a nice job of working the right flank to provide an extra attacking presence.

Lloyd created the first great scoring chance just inside the first 10 minutes by breaking free in the box. Norway goalkeeper Silje Vesterbekkmo was up to the task in the one-on-one situation, though.

Dan Lauletta of Equalizer Soccer highlighted the effort from Lloyd:

A few minutes later one of those runs by Krieger paid off as she found an open Christen Press around the penalty spot. Her redirection effort through traffic slid wide of the post to keep it scoreless.

Although it was the United States spending most of the time of the attack in the first half, it was Norway that got on the scoreboard first. Just minutes before the halftime whistle Ada Hegerberg broke free and headed a cross past Solo, who couldn't get enough power on her touch to push it over the bar.

Jess Lopez of Howler Magazine noted the nice run by the 19-year-old forward to find space:

"

that's a brilliant goal by Ada Hegerberg- but went unmarked as a late runner.. killer before HT.

— Jess Lopez (@jloarsenal) March 4, 2015"

Liviu Bird of Sports Illustrated applauded the team play by Norway that allowed it to grab the lead against the run of play:

"

Excellent team goal from Norway. Ada Hegerberg, 19, one of the team's rising young talents. Plays club ball at Lyon. | Norway 1-0 U.S. | 44'

— Liviu Bird (@liviubird) March 4, 2015"

The United States was able to resume putting on the pressure in the attacking third after the halftime break. Alex Morgan made a nice run to break free down the left side within the first five minutes of the second half but failed to chip it over an onrushing Vesterbekkmo.

Solo then came up with a critical stop to keep the Americans within one in the 54th minute. A loose ball in the box was driven in low toward goal but she reacted nicely to parry the attempt aside.

Alexi Lalas of Fox Sports spotlighted the importance of that stop:

Just two minutes later, in the 56th minute, the United States was level courtesy of Lloyd. A nice change of direction at the top of the 18 followed by a couple quick touches gave her the space she needed to find the far corner. Vesterbekkmo had no chance.

Former American international and current ESPN analyst Julie Foudy commented on the tally:

The United States grabbed its first lead of the contest six minutes later. Press attempted a shot that was knocked down by a Norwegian hand in the box. Lloyd stepped up and converted the ensuing penalty kick by slotting the shot just under the crossbar.

Fox Soccer Trax noted the call could have gone either way:

The American side was able to maintain control after grabbing the lead. Norway started pushing some additional players forward inside the final 15 minutes, which led to some chances. That included a pair of stops from Solo, the second after she failed to control the rebound on a heavy shot from distance.

Norway was unable to find a late equalizer as the United States did well to maintain possession and run out the clock. Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated provided some analysis:

Getting the victory will be a relief for the United States. The normally dominant side was just 2-2-2 over its past six matches coming into the tournament. The Americans' overall level of play was still well below where it needs to be, however.

They will get another chance to show progress on Friday when Switzerland is the opponent in the next Algarve Cup match. The Swiss opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Iceland and should pose another solid challenge from the U.S.