Stars and Strips Take Silver

17 July 2011

US loses a hearbreaker on penalties in the finals of the World Cup. My full match report can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

First Medals Given out in Germany

16 July 2011

Sweden pulled out a victory after going down ten players to earn bronze medals and the distinction of best European team in the tournament. My full match report can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

World Cup Weekend

15 July 2011

France and Sweden tomorrow, and then the big show on Sunday with the US and Japan. My preview of the last games of the World Cup can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

Moving on from 1999

15 July 2011

I got the chance to sit in on a conference call with members of the US National Team yesterday. My knee jerk impression? These women are wicked smart. Synopsis can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

Japan Journeys to their First Finals

13 July 2011

Japan completely dominated the shell-shocked Swedes 3-1 to earn a chance to play the US in the finals of the World Cup. my full match report can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

Back to the Finals for the US Women

13 July 2011

The US rallied once again against a strong and striking France team to advance into the finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1999. My full match report can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

Sweden Solidly Moves into Semifinals

10 July 2011

Sweden’s star player Lotta Schelin came away the game hero by putting her team into the semi-finals on Wednesday. My full match report can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

Americans Play One of the Best Games Ever

10 July 2011: United States 2(5) : 2(3) Brazil, Women’s World Cup, Quarterfinals
Fitness and character won possibly one of the greatest soccer matches ever
played. The US overcame negative pundits, egregiously poor officiating,
technically dazzling Brazilians and the clock to advance into the semi-finals
over Brazil. The tenor of the game transported fans back to 1999, to Kristine
Lilly saving the ball off the line in the 10th minute of extra time, to Brianna
Scurry’s save, to Brandi Chastain dropping to the ground with her arms in the
air.

The US got on the board early in just the 2nd minute of time, with a little help
from Brazil. Abbie Wambach at the top of the box tipped a ball forward to the
line. It looked to be going out but Shannon Boxx went after it and crossed it
off of the line to the center of the goal area. Defender Daiane, feeling the
pressure of Wambach closing in, attempted to clear but put too much effort in
and ended up mis-hitting it into the goal.

The US started the game looking crisp and more motivated than against Sweden in
their previous game. The game nearly went to two in the 12th minute when
Christie Rampone took a long free kick just inside their offensive half. Wambach
got in front of goalkeeper Andreia as they both went up for the ball, but the
keeper was able to get enough of her fingers on it to deflect the ball to the
outside. She was again tested on the resulting corner, but her double-fisted
punch cleared the ball out of the box.

Marta, as expected, was a consistent threat for the Brazilians. In a nail-biting
play, she took the ball from nearly midfield, opened up her engines and flew
past the US defense to the box. Veteran Rampone was able to keep enough pace to
prevent Marta from cutting inside, and the world’s best player shot the ball
over the crossbar as goalkeeper Hope Solo came out in the 23rd minute.

The Brazilians sent many of their goal scoring opportunities over the crossbar,
aiding the US’ ability to hold the lead. However, the US defense shut down much
of Brazil’s offensive play as well. Besides Marta’s run, Brazil was unable to
send through balls or get behind the US defense which lined up further back,
allowing more space in front of them to cushion the intimidating Brazil front
line.

Brazil came out with more zing in the second half, but still the game was an
even match all over the field. Neither side got a shot off for about fifteen
minutes after kick-off.

In the 59th minute, Brazil showed how dangerous they can be not only with their
crafty feet, but also in the air. A corner kick to the far post went off of
Aline’s head and towards the goal. Luckily though, the arms she used to propel
upwards lingered too long above her head and got in her way, earning a hand
ball.

Again in the 60th minute Christiane rocketed a long shot to far post, forcing a
wonderful diving save by Solo on her injured shoulder.

And then came the 65th minute, a memory that will certainly live in infamy for
American fans. Rachel Buehler reached for a ball with Marta, who jumped at it
with her studs up over the defender. A penalty kick was awarded and a red card
issued to Buehler.

Christiane stepped up to the spot. Solo, possibly the best goalkeeper currently
on the world stage, leaped to answer the left-footed penalty and deflected it
with enough force to send it out for a throw-in on the right side. However, an
AR signaled encroachment and the PK was called back to be retaken, this time by Marta.  Solo,
erupting in anger, earned a yellow card for coming forward off her line early,
though replays show this not to be the case. Always the technician, Marta sunk the second chance shot
to even up the game.

The US played the rest of the game down a player and frustrated, but held the
score to force extra time.

Entering extra time, the Brazilians had not used any of their subs yet and the
US still had one. In the 92nd minute, the referee again changed the course of
the game. Brazil’s Maurine, offside on the left side, received a pass and
crossed to Marta at near post. She in turn twisted her body in what should be an
impossible position to volley the ball with her left foot to far post. The ball
deflected off the post and into the goal putting Brazil up in extra time.

The clock ticked on, seemingly endless and far too quick at the same time for
the American side as they threw everything forward. Even down a player, the US
kept constant pressure on Brazil’s defense which was visibly showing signs of
fatigue and cramping, but still no result for the Americans. The 120 minute mark
was reached and despair set in.

But then, with the commentators predicting the last play of the game, Megan
Rapinoe took her last opportunity in the US’ 2011 World Cup campaign to serve a
perfect cross to Wambach on the far post, a player who has scored many headers
in her career, but not one with so much on the line. She got over it and sent it
past Andreia’s hands to tie the game, and American fans all over knew that
despite everything, the players, and not the referee, were going to decide the
game once and for all.

The US took the first kick and chose center midfield anchor Boxx to start. She
took a weak shot to the right that Andreia saved. But the goalkeeper had clearly
come forward off her line early and for the second time this game, the penalty
kick was retaken. With a second chance, Boxx hit a much better shot and buried
it this time in the corner.

The Brazilians then followed with two left-footed shots to the right corner by
Christiane and Marta. Carli Lloyd and Wambach both sunk their shots as well.
Daiane stepped up, but this time Solo was ready and saved her second penalty of
the game, only this time it stuck. Rapinoe followed with a right foot to left
corner, forcing Brazil to score their next kick. The US were confident in all of
their kickers, the storied conditioning finally paying off not only with the
physical but also the mental demands that penalties require.

Francielle used a little trickery to stutter step a changeup that faked out
Solo, keeping Brazil alive. Defender Ali Krieger stepped to the mark. A goal
would finish off Brazil, a miss would allow them to tie it up. In a show of
compassion, Krieger finished them off quickly by burying a perfect shot to the
left corner.

Wambach and Solo saved the game in the end, and must be sampling the retribution with particular relish. The last time Wambach played against Brazil, she suffered a grisly broken leg that threatened her career. Solo was pulled before the semi-final game against Brazil in 2007 in a controversial coaching decision that likely cost the US a chance at the finals.

After 1999, the US women have struggled to match the magic and impact of that
squad. But today, we got our heroes back. From the despair of a poor PK call and
dropping to ten, to the elation of rallying back and pouring every last exertion
on the field, the emotions of this game were some of the most profound that any
US squad, men or women, has ever produced.

Fly a flag, hug a bartender, shake the hand of a Brazilian fan and congratulate
them on a game well played. It’s a beautiful day to be an American, but even
more, it’s a beautiful day to be a soccer fan.

The US will play a tough French side on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in the
semi-finals.

I would be remiss not to thank the wonderful staff of The Attic in
Madison Park, who have adopted her throughout this World Cup.

Japan Earns Upset of the World Cup

9 July 2011

Japan scored in the second period of overtime to overcome powerful, two-time defending champs and host Germany to advance to semi-finals. My full match report can be found at Prost Amerika, here.

England Surprises France but Fall in Penalty Kicks

9 July 2011

In a show of scrap and determination, England held on to the match against a superior French side to force the result to come from penalty kicks. My full match report is at Prost Amerika, here.