Albufeira, Portugal (SportsNetwork.com) - The United States women's national team saw its 42-game unbeaten streak come to an end on Friday with a 1-0 defeat to Sweden in the Algarve Cup.
Lotta Schelin netted the lone goal of the contest for Sweden in the 25th minute, while Abby Wambach missed a penalty kick a few minutes before Schelin's goal which would have put the U.S. in front.
The Americans have now started 0-1-1 in Group B and will be unable to advance to the championship match ahead of their final group game with Denmark on Monday, March 10.
A strong start in the first 20 minutes should have given the U.S. the lead as Amy Rodriguez was brought down inside the penalty area, handing Wambach a chance to score from the spot.
However, Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl produced a fine diving stop as she lunged to her left to get a hand to the shot.
Just a few minutes later Sweden took the lead against the run of play with its first real chance of the match.
Sofia Jakobsson won the ball on the wing and delivered a cross to the front of goal for Schelin to head past goalkeeper Hope Solo.
The U.S. continued to get the better of the play as the second half wore on, and Kristie Mewis had a great chance in the final 10 minutes when she found herself in a one-on-one situation with Lindahl, who saved the shot with her legs.
