US Women Win In Shocker; Favored To Win World Cup

by lee on 11. Jul, 2011 in Featured

On the verge of being eliminated from the World Cup, the US Women’s Soccer team beat Brazil in overtime 5-3 on penalty kicks (2-2 regulation score).

In the lastest goal in World Cup history (122nd minute), the US women get a goal from Abby Wambach that ties the game and sends it into overtime.

In was the goalie Hope Solo that denied the Brazilians the shot they needed to win (the block heard round the world).

This win, and losses by Germany to Japan and France to England, make the US women the favored, on paper, to win the Women’s World Cup.

The US took 14 shots, 5 of which were on goal, had 17 fouls, 11 corner kicks, 4 off-sides, 4 yellow cards, 1 red card, and 3 saves. Diane & Abby Wambach scored for the US; Marta scored both goals for Brazil.

Boxx, Lloyd, Wambach, Rapinoe, and Ali Krieger all scored for the US in the shootout. Cristiane, Marta, and Francielle scored for Brazil. It was Daiane’s kick that Hope Solo was able to block in overtime.

The game had one of the most controversial calls in the World Cup. In the 65th Marta beat two U.S. defenders and had a face to face stand off with Solo when Buehler pulled her down.

The Americans got a red card, and a penalty kick ensued. It was blocked by Solo. After some celebration, the penalty kick was order to be taken again by referee Melksham, ruling teammate encroached the penalty area before the kick was taken.

Marta put the kick in to tie the game (pen 68). Marta followed that score with another score in the 92nd minute. This lead to the second most controversial play of the game. Maurine, who assisted Marta in the score, was seemingly offsides, but was not called (which would have negated the score).

That is what lead to a thrilling finish and the score by Wambach in the 122 minute to tie the game back up and send the game to overtime.

United States will play France in the semi-final game on Wednesday, and Japan will play Sweden.

image:stamfordadvocate