The Undying Spirit of the US Women’s Soccer Team
A movie could not have scripted this any better. In dramatic fashion yesterday, the US Women’s Soccer Team advanced past Brazil and into the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. If you woke up this morning and heard the U.S. won, you may not be experiencing the same elation the rest of us are. Afterall, the U.S. team is ranked #1 in the world and is a favorite to win it all, but let me fill in the colors of why this match will go down as one of the greatest and most awe-inspiring soccer matches ever played by a U.S. team:
While the U.S team is ranked #1 in the world, in recent weeks they have struggled, so it seemed in this particular match-up that the #3 ranked team from Brazil was actually going in as the favorites. The Americans go up early with a 1-0 score and held the lead throughout most of the game, but late in regulation play a red card was issued on U.S. player Rachel Buehler giving Brazil a penalty kick. Replays on television suggested that the red card was not warranted, but in heroic fashion U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo blocks the penalty kick. At this point the ref full on joins team Brazil and in fact becomes the best player on their team. The U.S. receives a yellow card for encroachment (also a suspect call according to tv analysts) and Brazil gets a do-over and makes the second try. drat!
Into over time we go….
May I remind you, the Americans at this point are playing down one player due to the erroneous red card. Brazil’s most well-known player, Marta, scores first in overtime. Only problem is, a missed off-sides call is what allowed her to score. At this point I am screaming at the TV and twitter-land is blowing up with tweets about the horrible officiating. The clock is ticking down and things do not look good for the Americans. When the play clock gets under five minutes in soccer, it is like having 60 seconds left in a football game to drive 100 yards. Do-able, but very difficult. This is also about the time that Brazilian player Erika, in a despicable display of poor sportsmanship, decides to fake an injury to run time off of the clock. She wastes close to four minutes of time, during which a stretcher comes out to take her off the field. After being carted off, she un-straps herself, hops down and re-joins the team. Disgusting! My best friend at this point is texting me saying “Brazil is a disgrace.” Time runs out.
There is hope- in soccer the referees can add time back on the clock for time lost due to injury. They add three minutes of play time to the clock. The crowd has completely turned on the fan-favorite Brazil team. Audience members from all over the world are chanting “USA, USA, USA!!!!” I have chills. However, as I mentioned three minutes is very little time in soccer, but the man-down Americans are gritty and determined. They do not give in. In the 122nd minute U.S. veteran player Abby Wambach head butted in a LEFT-FOOTED pass from Megan Rapinoe. HEAD BUTTED! Does that say bad-a** to anyone else?! It is the latest goal scored in a Women’s World Cup match ever.
We’re headed for a shootout!
Each team gets five kicks in a shootout. Here is how this went down:
U.S.A scores 1
Brazil scores 1
U.S.A scores 1
Brazil scores 1
U.S.A scores 1
HOPE SOLO BLOCKS BRAZIL KICK!!!!! Sweet justice for Solo after having a block called back earlier in the game!
U.S.A scores 1
Brazil scores 1
U.S.A scores 1
No need for Brazil to shoot. AMERICANS WIIIIIIIINNNN!!!! *I start singing patriotic tunes*
So, on the 12th anniversary of a stunning United States World Cup victory over China (also a dramatic match-up) the American women launch themselves into the semi-finals and Solo, Wambach and Rapinoe become the new Mia Hamms, Brandy Chastains and Briana Scurrys. The women play France on Wednesday (11:30 EST). Put on your red, white and blue and warm up your USA chant. With the momentum from this game, I think our women can win it all!
GREAT post Holly!