USA will probably win, and I’m okay with that, but I wouldn’t mind seeing an upset by Japan. Particularly if USA comes out complacent and “We own this.”
Go USA Women’s National Team!! I’m so stoked. I’m so proud. I can’t wait to watch this match.
3.
Yutsano
NIHON GA GAMBAI!!
(nothing against my home country. But the Japanese could REALLY use the good news.)
4.
Ronnie P
Japan has already had the good news in just making the finals. Go USA!
5.
Thoroughly Pizzled
If Japan succeeds where China failed, my mother will have an aneurysm. Go, USA!
6.
handsmile
The knock-out round victories by the United States were the result of a storybook quality of collective fortitude in adversity, glorious moments of individual brilliance (Rapinoe, Wambach, Solo), and a French goalkeeper the likes of which offenses encounter usually only in their fondest dreams. Yet a victory, however scrappy, is still a victory.
At the same time, the Nadeshiko were the beneficiaries of smiling good fortune in the 108th minute of their match with pre-tournament favorite Germany who failed repeatedly to capitalize on scoring chances, and, against Sweden, their own encounter with a blundering goalkeeper (who belatedly redeemed herself with a superb performance in yesterday’s third-place match). Nevertheless, Japan defeated two higher-ranked, more physically imposing squads through adroit ball movement and exemplary positional organization.
(The frequency of goalkeeper howlers and failure to strike successfully from advantageous positions has tormented me into reliving Arsenal’s 2010-11 Premier League season.)
In this one man’s opinion, to claim their third WWC champions trophy, the US should maintain a high defensive line to compress the midfield; the fullbacks should maraud forward; and the Japanese backline must be spread out wide. To accomplish that, the pace of Heather O’Reilly and Alex Morgan must be deployed throughout.
Of course, employing such tactics will leave that team vulnerable to counterattacks and well-knit passing but the American central defenders have been shrewd and economical thus far, and Hope Solo is a candidate for tournament MVP.
I don’t believe the US should adopt the favorite tactic of all mid-table English clubs: hoofing the ball to the big guy up front. “Even the liberal NY Times” in its profile today of Abby Wambach showcased her physical prowess and offensive capabilities. Japan will certainly prepare for this. Wambach’s preeminence will be amplified if the Japanese defense is stretched along the flanks. To play for set pieces and corners will be the most effective US strategy. Japan’s likely control of midfield, certain possession advantage, and recent technical superiority, will be rendered less decisive thereby.
With all the deserving approbation heaped upon the Guardian for its coverage of the Murdoch scandal by Balloon Juice readers, I am somewhat reluctant to link the following article that may discomfit those whose sensibilities cannot abide other than full-throated USA huzzahs: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/15/womens-world-cup-final-preview
To those I would reply that, as a group, the Guardian football writers set the standard and would strongly recommend the comments section in which, much like this very blog, you will find much to amuse, inform, enrage.
Dispassionately, I cannot foresee anything other than the US Women scoring more goals than the Japanese. Dispassionately, I cannot begrudge a victory by Japan.
U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Better Not Fvcking Blow It
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY—In light of the enormous momentum and goodwill they are carrying with them into the Women’s World Cup final in Frankfurt this Sunday, sources confirmed the U.S. women had better be damned sure they don’t fvcking blow it. “Their gutsy yet elegant win over Brazil got everyone behind them, and their victory over France—complete with the second Abby Wambach header in as many games—made them look like a team of destiny, so they’d better not fvck this one up, because they’ll look like complete idiots,” thousands of bandwagon fans from across the United States said Wednesday, adding that if the team loses Sunday, its whole World Cup run will have been a fvcking waste of everyone’s time.
[more at link]
8.
cmorenc
US will most likely win 3-1, but if Japan can keep the match even through the late minutes or go up a goal, Japan has a strong chance.
Japan’s problem is that they don’t really have a good answer for Abby Wambach, especially not any that won’t leave other stronger, taller US finishers open too often.
Japan has already had the good news in just making the finals. Go USA!
Word!
10.
Martin
Man, we need a better national anthem.
11.
Yutsano
@JenJen: Oh well, it’s not like I haven’t been in the minority here before. :)
How’s the puppeh?
12.
Patrick
USA is in the finals even though they have had a hard time stringing three passes together. Japan can string 30 passes together. I’d like to see Cheney playing where Lloyd has been so inexcusable, like at the end of the France game.
13.
stuckinred
Hugh ESE
14.
MikeJ
@Martin: I like the US and I can not lie
Those other countries can’t deny
When a country walks in with freedom of speech
You get patriotic
Or we could just go with Woody G.
15.
eastriver
Of course the first shot from Cheney is IN THE FACE. Natch.
16.
Patrick
Cheney is up top, and Boxx and Lloyd are back to giving away balls in midfield.
17.
Patrick
I hate to pick on Lloyd, but can she ever keep those on frame?
18.
Bill Murray
Man the US needs to put some of these chances on goal
Okay it’s Margarita Sunday. Hubs and I saw the Harry Potter movie, went to our favorite Mexican place and had two giant margaritas, and are now home watching the world cup. Needless to say, anything I write for the next 3 hours may not make any sense.
21.
Yutsano
@JenJen: LOOK AT THOSE EARZ!! He’s gonna be a biggun too!
My confession (which I already made but I’ll say again anyway) I was going for Canada in the Olympics. I’m such a traitor sometimes. :)
the only time I don’t root for Team USA is when Team USA calls itself the Boston Bruins. ;-)
Rand’s premise is that ‘producers’ are so special, so different from the others around them, that without them the world can’t function. That they are, in fact, irreplaceable. And that, readers, is belly laugh worthy. As any military can tell you, when an officer falls in battle, the person promoted to the position either rises to the occasion or doesn’t – but even if the officer’s absence hurts in the short run, in the long run there is no such thing as someone ‘irreplaceable’.
__
The correlary to the idea that business leaders are irreplaceable is the assumption that those who aren’t already leaders are incompetent. There are certainly plenty of incompetent people in the world, especially if you define that as ‘not having a certain set of skills yet’. But there are many, many highly competent people with leadership ability (perhaps as yet undeveloped) that for one reason or another do not function in a leadership role.
This is why basing real policy on fictional characters is stupid.
Vuvuzelas were banned in Germany at the same time as Mein Kampf.
50.
dsc
ed, you have to chose a cable provider to watch at ESPN and you have to sign in via your provider for remote access
tried the arab emirates, but being in the US is a no-go territory
I like FREE TV–we have and antenna and I REFUSE to pay for TV–can’t understand why ABC did not see the advantage of showing this–but it is WOMEN, so, …
It’s not even at the top of the news on Google
51.
dustycrickets
@46…
“They were banned by the entire world cept SA”…and Tampa Bay Rays home games.
@HumboldtBlue #47: Ian Darke and Julie Foudy on ESPN’s telecast.
@dsc #50: I found multiple, free, non-ESPN3-streams of coverage just by googling “watch women’s world cup live.” Good luck and hope you’ll find one that works for you!
54.
stuckinred
dsc
ABC didn’t have the British Open on live either and now that is what is on.
North Korea officials blamed traditional musk deer gland medicine used after a lightening strike for five positive tests for steroids at the Women’s World Cup, the biggest soccer doping scandal at a major tournament in 17 years.
67.
burnspbesq
An entire tournament’s worth of quality chances, and nothing to show.
Sphincters tightening, US fans?
68.
cmorenc
Anyone else think it’s a bit weird that one of the prime sponsors for this game is ROGAINE (hair restoration goo for men)?? OK, so there are plenty of men watching the WWC games and final too, but then why are there no beer company sponsorships?
69.
stuckinred
burnspbesq
Slow down
you move too fast
You got to make the moment last now
70.
burnspbesq
Football fans should boycott Allstate. Their commercials with Tim Howard are the epitome of suck.
71.
HumboldtBlue
Sphincters tightening, US fans?
If it got any tighter I’d be a Republican Tea Bagger who bemoans the evils of pop culture on America’s utes.
I was glad to see that Sundhage sat Amy Rodriguez, who I felt has been really unimpressive in the previous matches. The US would pick up the pace significantly when Rapinoe would sub in, and it seems starting her and moving Cheney forward have helped with the scoring opportunities. Now if some of them would actually find the back of the net…
Morgan is known for her clutch goals — well those are about the only goals she has scored being the youngest player on the team.
off the inside of the post, 3rd one in this game
81.
burnspbesq
Fuuuuuuuuck. Another post.
82.
Mr Stagger Lee
Watching this and the Copa America on Univision which feature Brazil and Paraguay, later Chile plays Venezuela. Yesterday saw an good match between Uruguay and Argentina.
Uruguay won.
I will openly admit I find soccer to be about the most boring sport to watch, but my gosh did I love playing the sport as a very young kid. At least where I lived soccer was about the first sport you could play. But alas, as I got older I went to other sports as just about everybody else did.
100.
the exile
France is the first women’s team I’ve ever seen i that actually plays classy, stylish, Brazil- or Barcelona-style soccer with great ball control and pinpoint passing. The first team to convince me that maybe the women’s game might be worth watching. And then their goalie and a top star get hurt and they get beat by a USA team that plays in the typical boring, artless English- German- American style that I so hate: long passes, all scoring from headers off corner kicks or free kicks, all force and speed, no creativity. So I’m back to watching the men– Copa America’s pretty exciting.
Like Grampa Simpson she bulged the old onion bag. said in a bad Tommy Smyth voice
116.
Comrade Luke
@burnspbesq: Yea, I was getting annoyed about the hotdogging with the ball, and then she played the perfect ball. Again.
117.
HumboldtBlue
Rapinoe has certainly been a revelation, with her amazing energy off the bench against France to her whipping that poor Japanese right back in the first half to the assist
You just may end up being right! Alex is soooooo fast. My gawd, what a pretty goal. Watching her approach the ball is almost like watching Mia Hamm in her prime.
@Corner Stone: And not into the center of the box.
132.
Bill Murray
pitch looks like it’s getting slick. Buehler slips on the Japan goal and so did Lloyd think.
133.
Bill Murray
How bout you try to clear, hmm?
well Rampone did but right to Japan to start the move. Buehler was on the ground and the ball mostly just hit Krieger
134.
HumboldtBlue
where’s my goddamn bong …. mumble grumble
135.
Comrade Luke
We look tired.
136.
Patrick
Rodriguez should sub for Rapinoe
137.
Corner Stone
@Bill Murray: Yeah, easy for me to say. But better to turn and kick it out of bounds and set up a corner.
Should never shove it back to center under pressure.
I don’t agree. Buehler crossed it back into the center of the field. I doubt Krieger was expecting that.
ETA: The one that really blew it was Rampone. Unforgivable, unforced turnover.
146.
Corner Stone
OooOOooOOoo!!
147.
MikeJ
The people in the crowd with the hope goalie gloves need to make sure they’re together so they stop signalling “Ho”.
148.
shirk
@Hawes: I agree. I think Buehler’s attempt to clear across the goal was reasonable given her position, and it was unfortunate that it hit Krieger. I also thought perhaps Krieger was mistakenly trying to clear it back to the other side and mis-hit, but I’ll wait for another replay to see.
149.
Corner Stone
Call me a xenophobe but all I can think of when they talk about the Japanese players is how delicious they would all sound at my local restaurant.
Yes, I’ll have the kumagai please.
Japan is targeting Buehler, she is a penalty waiting to happen…On the goal, Solo should have come and got it. She is a great shot stopper, but she is on her line watching things too much sometimes.
154.
shirk
Boxx knows that the U.S. is wearing white uniforms, right?
155.
Comrade Luke
You’re wrong Julie Foudy: O’Reilly has not had a good game.
@Bill Murray: Yeah, easy for me to say. But better to turn and kick it out of bounds and set up a corner.
Should never shove it back to center under pressure.
totally agree with that,
and what a ball by Morgan for the Wambach goal
166.
Corner Stone
@Randinho: Ha! That was sheer balls, not height.
Perfect cross.
167.
Brian R.
FUCKING A
168.
Bill Murray
I’d probably bring in Sauerbrunn here or maybe Lori Lindsey
169.
JCT
Keep up the play by play guys — I’m in the air and cannot stream anything!
Go USA!
170.
Comrade Luke
Really need to stick with the game plan here. Don’t let them get another lucky break.
And especially: avoid the turnovers in your own end!
Jesus. Get someone in there who knows how to smother a fucking ball.
188.
Martin
And what the hell was that mess?
189.
Corner Stone
@JCT: JCT, get ready for a cardiac arrest at 30,000 feet.
They can’t seem to clear shit for any amount of blood or money.
This is gonna be balls in to the wire.
190.
Bill Murray
Rapinoe was looking pretty dead there. I’m hoping Heath knows how to clear from the back
It’s not a US WWC final without a clearance off the line. and Solo is hurt. I kind of wonder how this late in the game with a one goal lead anyone can get behind you.
I’m feeling a bit ill. C’mon USA. Fuck. Please please please don’t let this come down to PK’s.
205.
middlewest
Oh god what the hell.
206.
Corner Stone
JCT, put your head tween your knees and breathe deep. Tie at 2 all.
207.
lol
Most surprising Japanese strike against the US since 1941.
208.
pete
On behalf of all the lurkers, thanks for your comments … I keep cutting between this and the Guardian MBM and the Yahoo UK one, and I feel i’m getting a sense of it … and I’d better post this before y’all commit ritual suppuku …
209.
JCT
@Corner Stone — lucky I’m a cardiologist .
Crap sounds like we’re tied again — c’mon!
OMG, starting our descent into DFW — DAMN. Fingers crossed for a miracle win.
210.
scav
I’m getting the distinct impression “Epic” is the word here. Good luck all. Breathe.
Congrats to Japan :) The USA got to the final by playing 10 minutes of brilliant football per game, and in this game they played brilliantly except for 10 minutes…
267.
Corner Stone
It just breaks your heart.
268.
Violet
Well done, Japan. They’ve had a pretty awful year as a country. Nice they have something like this that is so positive.
Can I just say I hate penalty shoot outs. I always feel so bad for the keepers in that role. Just sucky all the way around.
Every time I have watched a pk shootout, I have always felt that the pressure is not on the goalkeeper, but the penalty taker. Nothing has exemplified this more than this shootout.
270.
burnspbesq
Three fucking posts.
271.
Patrick
@Hawes: She had the ball 3 yards out and hit it over the bar…it will haunt her. But she has 2 gold medals I believe, which is just as good in Woman’s Soccer.
Absolutely a Hollywood ending (and one in which the USA were not the protagonists). Well done, Japan.
274.
Corner Stone
Is Sundhage drunk? Or just a Viking?
275.
Violet
@Randinho:
It’s on both, I’d think. Still hate them, no matter where the pressure is.
I heard a suggestion somewhere of playing X amount of extra time with the full team. If score is still tied, each side removes ones player, then play X more time. If still tied, remove one player again, etc. Eventually someone will score.
Someone should have the God given decency to kill those commercials.
297.
Patrick
@Randinho: I think everyone agrees, the keeper is not supposed to save any. Pressure on the shooter. Which is why it was strange to let Tobin Heath take the 3rd PK. She was barely in the game and think of all the Americans who never had a shot at a PK: O’Reilly, Morgan, Krieger, etc.
298.
Patrick
The idea that the US Women’s team would miss 3 PKs and the Brazil Men’s team would miss 4 PKs, is unfathomable.
299.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
I blame Pia Sundhage for not using the bully pulpit
300.
Corner Stone
There was zero pace on that kick by Tobin Heath. Not sure she knew where she was going with it.
301.
Comrade Luke
@Corner Stone: I don’t get why Heath was even in the list. She was barely in the game.
There’s a quota for the continental federations, which in the case of UEFA meant that only two teams plus England as the host country would qualify. So, while it wasn’t directly tied to reaching the semi finals, I can’t quite see who could rank above the US from CONCACAF.
303.
Violet
@Randinho:
To each his own. I’m not a fan of the penalty kick shoot out match decider. Some people think it’s fine. I don’t think there’s a right answer, really. It’s just what people prefer. I like the Golden Goal solution better than playing complete periods. Some people don’t.
304.
shirk
@Randinho: What’s your opinion of the idea that number of corner kicks should be the tie-breaker at the end of extra time?
305.
Bill Murray
SRW1, technically Canada won CONCACAF WC qualifying
The 2012 CONCACAF Women Pre-Olympic Tournament will be an association football procedure to determine the two participants at the 2012 Summer Olympics. It will be held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada between January 19 and 29, 2012.
308.
Peter J
@Randinho:
As France and Sweden made it in by getting to the semis, I’m sure the USA is in as well.
@Comrade Luke: Just an awful kick in real time, and replay is not giving her the better end of this.
310.
aretino
UEFA uses the Women’s World Cup to determine Olympic Women’s qualifiers because there isn’t enough time for a separate qualifying process. There is already a packed schedule of qualification for the European Women’s Championship in 2013.
CONCACAF has a Olympic qualifying process which culminates in a tournament in Vancouver, Canada this winter. The top two qualify. Considering that the United States took third place in CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifying, nothing is guaranteed.
311.
Comrade Luke
Can they make the defender that got the red card the MVP of the game?
Trying to figure out if the tactics at the beginning of the game were due to the players or the pre-game scouting. It sure seemed like there was a lot of individualism going on, where they were willing to take low percentage shots versus looking to pass.
There were more than one short-side shots, which leads me to believe it was a scouting thing, but who knows if we’ll ever know for sure.
316.
MikeB
I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw this coming after the insane hyping
of the Brazil win. I’m sure that the US women are NOT overconfident
blowhards, but the flag waving US media and commercial interests
spent days goading them into looking that way, and as some have noted
above, the “Pressure” commercial was the ultimate irony.
I only saw the overtime periods, and I understand that the US missed
some good opportunities in regulation time, but I thought Japan looked
like the better team in OT and was actually surprised when the US
scored, and was not surprised at the final result.
Quiet confidence is a valuable attribute. I doubt that Japan’s media
was guaranteeing a Japanese win after the semis.
PK’s vs Golden Goals? Soccer is a low scoring game of attrition that
doesn’t seem to lend itself to an elegant tie game solution. Maybe
in finals like this they should play more games until someone wins on aggregate,
a game every other day, I’d enjoy that : )
I think Rapinoe and Solo are blowhards, but the rest of the team seems very humble, certainly more than any other US team that is a favorite in their sport.
And I tend to give Solo a pass because she’s a keeper. They’re a different breed.
318.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
games like this is why God invented booze.
319.
JCT
Sigh.
Thanks for keeping me up guys- I wasn’t the only one tapping on my iPhone when the wheels touched down.
Connection delay so I’m watching the coverage with a huge beer.
At least it was Japan, they needed this.
320.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
espn d-bag asked Hope Solo, “I can see the emotion in our eyes (decoded: you look like ya gonna cry), how do you feel”, and then the camera zoomed in for a close-p.
To her credit, she didn’t fall apart.
321.
4jkb4ia
The USA came out on the wrong end of a great story. The principal reason to want them to win was Abby Wambach, who has accomplished everything else.
322.
Paula
I’m sad, but it was clearly a tremendous match for both sides. The USWNT improved on almost everything people were telling them to improve. Japan had to be perfect and they were. Solo was hurt, which cost the team psychologically but can’t really be blamed on anyone.
I am proud of this team. And delighted by all the athletes who’ve basically shown up the Men’s World Cup in every possible way.
The only the thing I hate right now is that f*&*^%%$%$@#g crossbar.
323.
PanAmerican
The Japanese certainly could have won it in 90 minutes if not for a lousy offside call. But then we would have missed Sawa’s goal. Check out the reverse angel replay – it was a backheel that glanced off Abby. One of the most amazing shots in World Cup history – men or women.
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Steeplejack
USA will probably win, and I’m okay with that, but I wouldn’t mind seeing an upset by Japan. Particularly if USA comes out complacent and “We own this.”
JenJen
Go USA Women’s National Team!! I’m so stoked. I’m so proud. I can’t wait to watch this match.
Yutsano
NIHON GA GAMBAI!!
(nothing against my home country. But the Japanese could REALLY use the good news.)
Ronnie P
Japan has already had the good news in just making the finals. Go USA!
Thoroughly Pizzled
If Japan succeeds where China failed, my mother will have an aneurysm. Go, USA!
handsmile
The knock-out round victories by the United States were the result of a storybook quality of collective fortitude in adversity, glorious moments of individual brilliance (Rapinoe, Wambach, Solo), and a French goalkeeper the likes of which offenses encounter usually only in their fondest dreams. Yet a victory, however scrappy, is still a victory.
At the same time, the Nadeshiko were the beneficiaries of smiling good fortune in the 108th minute of their match with pre-tournament favorite Germany who failed repeatedly to capitalize on scoring chances, and, against Sweden, their own encounter with a blundering goalkeeper (who belatedly redeemed herself with a superb performance in yesterday’s third-place match). Nevertheless, Japan defeated two higher-ranked, more physically imposing squads through adroit ball movement and exemplary positional organization.
(The frequency of goalkeeper howlers and failure to strike successfully from advantageous positions has tormented me into reliving Arsenal’s 2010-11 Premier League season.)
In this one man’s opinion, to claim their third WWC champions trophy, the US should maintain a high defensive line to compress the midfield; the fullbacks should maraud forward; and the Japanese backline must be spread out wide. To accomplish that, the pace of Heather O’Reilly and Alex Morgan must be deployed throughout.
Of course, employing such tactics will leave that team vulnerable to counterattacks and well-knit passing but the American central defenders have been shrewd and economical thus far, and Hope Solo is a candidate for tournament MVP.
I don’t believe the US should adopt the favorite tactic of all mid-table English clubs: hoofing the ball to the big guy up front. “Even the liberal NY Times” in its profile today of Abby Wambach showcased her physical prowess and offensive capabilities. Japan will certainly prepare for this. Wambach’s preeminence will be amplified if the Japanese defense is stretched along the flanks. To play for set pieces and corners will be the most effective US strategy. Japan’s likely control of midfield, certain possession advantage, and recent technical superiority, will be rendered less decisive thereby.
With all the deserving approbation heaped upon the Guardian for its coverage of the Murdoch scandal by Balloon Juice readers, I am somewhat reluctant to link the following article that may discomfit those whose sensibilities cannot abide other than full-throated USA huzzahs: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/15/womens-world-cup-final-preview
To those I would reply that, as a group, the Guardian football writers set the standard and would strongly recommend the comments section in which, much like this very blog, you will find much to amuse, inform, enrage.
Dispassionately, I cannot foresee anything other than the US Women scoring more goals than the Japanese. Dispassionately, I cannot begrudge a victory by Japan.
Kirk Spencer
From the Onion
[more at link]
cmorenc
US will most likely win 3-1, but if Japan can keep the match even through the late minutes or go up a goal, Japan has a strong chance.
Japan’s problem is that they don’t really have a good answer for Abby Wambach, especially not any that won’t leave other stronger, taller US finishers open too often.
JenJen
@Ronnie P:
Word!
Martin
Man, we need a better national anthem.
Yutsano
@JenJen: Oh well, it’s not like I haven’t been in the minority here before. :)
How’s the puppeh?
Patrick
USA is in the finals even though they have had a hard time stringing three passes together. Japan can string 30 passes together. I’d like to see Cheney playing where Lloyd has been so inexcusable, like at the end of the France game.
stuckinred
Hugh ESE
MikeJ
@Martin: I like the US and I can not lie
Those other countries can’t deny
When a country walks in with freedom of speech
You get patriotic
Or we could just go with Woody G.
eastriver
Of course the first shot from Cheney is IN THE FACE. Natch.
Patrick
Cheney is up top, and Boxx and Lloyd are back to giving away balls in midfield.
Patrick
I hate to pick on Lloyd, but can she ever keep those on frame?
Bill Murray
Man the US needs to put some of these chances on goal
JenJen
@Yutsano #11: Young Lord Stanley is doing great!! A coupla pics of puppeh for you. He’s four months old!!
And speaking of Lord Stanley, the only time I don’t root for Team USA is when Team USA calls itself the Boston Bruins. ;-)
Southern Beale
USA! USA! USA!
Okay it’s Margarita Sunday. Hubs and I saw the Harry Potter movie, went to our favorite Mexican place and had two giant margaritas, and are now home watching the world cup. Needless to say, anything I write for the next 3 hours may not make any sense.
Yutsano
@JenJen: LOOK AT THOSE EARZ!! He’s gonna be a biggun too!
My confession (which I already made but I’ll say again anyway) I was going for Canada in the Olympics. I’m such a traitor sometimes. :)
A-FUCKING-MEN!!
TB
がんばれ日本!
eastriver
The Japanese fans just did the wave. 35 died.
(too soon?)
Southern Beale
@eastriver:
She’s no relation, is she? Honestly other than watching the matches I haven’t really been following this …
Hawes
Carli Lloyd needs to stop shooting from 30 meters. The USWNT is doing everything right except finishing.
Pretty much the opposite of the Brazil and France games…
Southern Beale
@eastriver:
Umm … yeah … maybe …
dsc
I don’t have cable–is there a FREE live stream anywhere?
Hawes
Time to unleash the
KrakkenWambach.Hawes
ESPN3 has had previous games
stuckinred
Pia Feelin Groovy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB10rJJX3dM
Hawes
That wave joke was incredibly tasteless.
I laughed though, so I’ll be seeing you in purgatory.
Ed Marshall
@dsc:
http://espn.go.com/espn3/index/_/sport/soccer-futbol#
Comrade Luke
Wambach is being marked very closely in the box.
Main concern right now is that the strong start with no finishing leaves them vulnerable to a counterattack when they eventually catch their breath.
HumboldtBlue
I absolutely hate it when a team I am vacking starts fast, dominates early and can’t finish. Bodes ill.
HumboldtBlue
backing, even
stuckinred
Ya’ll some down in the mouth mofo’s.
JenJen
Gaaaaaaaah so close. Keep it up, Abby!
@Yutsano #21: Knew you’d like that. ;-) The pics, of course, but mostly the Bruins slam!
@Southern Beale: Margarita Sunday, eh? Sounds lovely. Here in JenJenLand it’s 7-and-7 Sunday!!
Hawes
Karli Lloyd=LVP
Southern Beale
Funny ….
A Plothole in Atlas Shrugged to Drive a Train Through
This is why basing real policy on fictional characters is stupid.
Corner Stone
@eastriver:
Nah. I think it’s wise to get in ahead of the inevitable “meltdown” quips.
HumboldtBlue
there’s the counter attack danger
gwangung
Tasteless and tacky.
I have a spot open on my Asian American comedy group….
Hawes
Don’t want to jinx it, but this is the best midfield defense the US has put up so far.
freelancer (iPhone)
Goddamn, this is ridiculous in terms of opportunities.
Southern Beale
How come there are no vuvuzelas?
HumboldtBlue
They were banned by the entire world cept SA
HumboldtBlue
Ian Darke must be doing TV because we have some cockney dude Thomas or something with Ol’ Onoin Bag for color on radio
HumboldtBlue
Buehler? Beuhler?
Hawes
Vuvuzelas were banned in Germany at the same time as Mein Kampf.
dsc
ed, you have to chose a cable provider to watch at ESPN and you have to sign in via your provider for remote access
tried the arab emirates, but being in the US is a no-go territory
I like FREE TV–we have and antenna and I REFUSE to pay for TV–can’t understand why ABC did not see the advantage of showing this–but it is WOMEN, so, …
It’s not even at the top of the news on Google
dustycrickets
@46…
“They were banned by the entire world cept SA”…and Tampa Bay Rays home games.
Hawes
Nice, smiling Nazi referee..
JenJen
@HumboldtBlue #47: Ian Darke and Julie Foudy on ESPN’s telecast.
@dsc #50: I found multiple, free, non-ESPN3-streams of coverage just by googling “watch women’s world cup live.” Good luck and hope you’ll find one that works for you!
stuckinred
dsc
ABC didn’t have the British Open on live either and now that is what is on.
Ed Marshall
@dsc:
I didn’t know, I’m on comcast so it just plugged me in automatically I guess.
Hawes
Wambach goes down easier than a tranny hooker when the fleet is in town.
HumboldtBlue
They’re a good team, Jen, although for years Foudy was un-listenable, she’s gotten a whole lot better
Comrade Luke
If Wambach doesn’t take a dive in the box there she would have been in great position for a shot
stuckinred
And if she hadn’t made the goal last Sunday she’d be sitting next to you on the couch!
Comrade Luke
I admit it: I have the hots for Krieger.
eastriver
58, I said the same thing
Brian R.
No stoppage at all? Really?
Hawes
I’m with you, Comrade Luke.
HumboldtBlue
I’m hot for Krieger!
That could be a song
Bill Murray
half time. Seems like Lloyd and Rapinoe are trying a little too hard to be the heroes.
and dsc Justin TV may have the game feed live
Origuy
The positive steroid results that caused the North Korean team to be sent home were the result of a traditional medicine given to them to treat effects of a lightning strike during training.
burnspbesq
An entire tournament’s worth of quality chances, and nothing to show.
Sphincters tightening, US fans?
cmorenc
Anyone else think it’s a bit weird that one of the prime sponsors for this game is ROGAINE (hair restoration goo for men)?? OK, so there are plenty of men watching the WWC games and final too, but then why are there no beer company sponsorships?
stuckinred
burnspbesq
Slow down
you move too fast
You got to make the moment last now
burnspbesq
Football fans should boycott Allstate. Their commercials with Tim Howard are the epitome of suck.
HumboldtBlue
Sphincters tightening, US fans?
If it got any tighter I’d be a Republican Tea Bagger who bemoans the evils of pop culture on America’s utes.
Hawes
Wow, that was the worst commercial I’ve ever seen.
JenJen
@burnspbesq #67
Not a bit. Pitch is practically tilted. USA playing very well.
@burnspbesq #70
NOW you’re talkin’! Good grief. I’d rather watch a complete block of JG Wentworth ads* than see that Allstate awfulness even once more.
*OK, not really
Hawes
Morgan with the game winner! Calling it now.
burnspbesq
Cheney is out with an ankle. Morgan in.
Comrade Luke
Man, that is one weirdly happy referee.
shirk
I was glad to see that Sundhage sat Amy Rodriguez, who I felt has been really unimpressive in the previous matches. The US would pick up the pace significantly when Rapinoe would sub in, and it seems starting her and moving Cheney forward have helped with the scoring opportunities. Now if some of them would actually find the back of the net…
Southern Beale
Fmr. Fox News Executive: Americans’ Phones Were Hacked
This is HUGE …
Hawes
How is that possible?!?!
Bill Murray
Morgan is known for her clutch goals — well those are about the only goals she has scored being the youngest player on the team.
off the inside of the post, 3rd one in this game
burnspbesq
Fuuuuuuuuck. Another post.
Mr Stagger Lee
Watching this and the Copa America on Univision which feature Brazil and Paraguay, later Chile plays Venezuela. Yesterday saw an good match between Uruguay and Argentina.
Uruguay won.
Hawes
Saranwrap on the frakking goals.
John O
I’m calling it now. Too many posts clanked already to win in 90.
dsc
feed removed from Justin Tv for copyright violations
this sucks
JenJen is your feed still working
Comrade Luke
Anyone catch what Krieger’s tatt says?
“I heart Comrade Luke”?
ETA: Appears to be “Liebe”, German for Love.
So – close enough!
Yutsano
@Comrade Luke: Yer drooling again dude. And yer gonna get Burnsy’s hopes up about Hope Solo again.
Hawes
Of course, Krieger means “warrior”, so I guess all’s fair.
Comrade Luke
@Yutsano:
Yes, I’m drooling. Admitting it is the first step to recovery.
Comrade Luke
Japan is stepping up…
Hawes
Foul not called and handball not called.
Comrade Luke
While “Liebe” is Germain for “Love”, I’m pretty sure “Box” translates to “turnover” in some language.
HumboldtBlue
Frustration builds …
JenJen
@dsc Don’t know if this will work for you, but please, to try!
If it doesn’t work, try atdhe.tv; they have six links up right now and I’ve been able to access three of them easily.
freelancer (iPhone)
Hands off. Bring me Solo and the Wookie.
Bill Murray
Hey the US got one on goal, after the poor offside call
Bill Murray
I used to think the same for Chastain as you think of Boxx.
Hawes
OK, my sphincter is getting a wee bit snugger…
Tommy
I will openly admit I find soccer to be about the most boring sport to watch, but my gosh did I love playing the sport as a very young kid. At least where I lived soccer was about the first sport you could play. But alas, as I got older I went to other sports as just about everybody else did.
the exile
France is the first women’s team I’ve ever seen i that actually plays classy, stylish, Brazil- or Barcelona-style soccer with great ball control and pinpoint passing. The first team to convince me that maybe the women’s game might be worth watching. And then their goalie and a top star get hurt and they get beat by a USA team that plays in the typical boring, artless English- German- American style that I so hate: long passes, all scoring from headers off corner kicks or free kicks, all force and speed, no creativity. So I’m back to watching the men– Copa America’s pretty exciting.
Comrade Luke
FUCK YEA
Bill Murray
Morgan off the great ball from Rapinoe. 1-0
Hawes
MORGAN!!! Called it.
shirk
Yes! Alex Morgan!
Corner Stone
Unbelievable angle.
Dee Loralei
YAY!!!
Comrade Luke
What a shot.
JenJen
Megan to Alex ET LE BUUUUUUUUUUUUT!!
Wooohooo team USA!!
burnspbesq
Hmm, I was just about to say Rapinoe was spending too much time inside …
eastriver
Like Ron Jeremy, she found the back of the box.
HumboldtBlue
goal
Tommy
Well so much for all the “experts” I heard say before the game that the Japanese women were too fast for us.
Southern Beale
Awesome goal by Alex Morgan!
Brian R.
Sweet goal. Time to put it away.
Bill Murray
Like Grampa Simpson she bulged the old onion bag. said in a bad Tommy Smyth voice
Comrade Luke
@burnspbesq: Yea, I was getting annoyed about the hotdogging with the ball, and then she played the perfect ball. Again.
HumboldtBlue
Rapinoe has certainly been a revelation, with her amazing energy off the bench against France to her whipping that poor Japanese right back in the first half to the assist
Randinho
Eastriver FTW!
Patrick
Only British broadcasters talk about the win at 1-0 with 20 min left…
Comrade Luke
Sooooo much soccer left…
aretino
I used to think Chastain meant lucky not to get a read card for that.
JenJen
@Hawes #74
You just may end up being right! Alex is soooooo fast. My gawd, what a pretty goal. Watching her approach the ball is almost like watching Mia Hamm in her prime.
ETA: OH SHIZZ Japan with the equalizer.
Comrade Luke
Jesus. What a terrible clearance.
Hawes
Absolute breakdown.
Corner Stone
Horrible panic.
Randinho
Utterly disorganized at the back just then.
Patrick
Need to get Buehler off the field!
HumboldtBlue
Those first half misses now loom huge
Corner Stone
How bout you try to clear, hmm?
Corner Stone
Good cross, but better D
Comrade Luke
@Corner Stone: And not into the center of the box.
Bill Murray
pitch looks like it’s getting slick. Buehler slips on the Japan goal and so did Lloyd think.
Bill Murray
How bout you try to clear, hmm?
well Rampone did but right to Japan to start the move. Buehler was on the ground and the ball mostly just hit Krieger
HumboldtBlue
where’s my goddamn bong …. mumble grumble
Comrade Luke
We look tired.
Patrick
Rodriguez should sub for Rapinoe
Corner Stone
@Bill Murray: Yeah, easy for me to say. But better to turn and kick it out of bounds and set up a corner.
Should never shove it back to center under pressure.
HumboldtBlue
what drama, fantastic stuff
Corner Stone
Shoulda smashed that one touch.
Hawes
Well, it almost had to end this way, didn’t it?
shirk
I, for one, blame @Hawes #74 for jinxing it… :-)
JenJen
Anyone who doesn’t love the fact that the Women’s World Cup Final is heading into 30 minutes of extra time probably isn’t a sports fan.
You kind of have to love it. USA! USA! USA!
Hawes
They’re blaming Buehler, but it looked like Krieger kind of screwed the pooch more.
Hawes
I for one, accept the blame…
Comrade Luke
@Hawes:
I don’t agree. Buehler crossed it back into the center of the field. I doubt Krieger was expecting that.
ETA: The one that really blew it was Rampone. Unforgivable, unforced turnover.
Corner Stone
OooOOooOOoo!!
MikeJ
The people in the crowd with the hope goalie gloves need to make sure they’re together so they stop signalling “Ho”.
shirk
@Hawes: I agree. I think Buehler’s attempt to clear across the goal was reasonable given her position, and it was unfortunate that it hit Krieger. I also thought perhaps Krieger was mistakenly trying to clear it back to the other side and mis-hit, but I’ll wait for another replay to see.
Corner Stone
Call me a xenophobe but all I can think of when they talk about the Japanese players is how delicious they would all sound at my local restaurant.
Yes, I’ll have the kumagai please.
Comrade Luke
Christ, Boxx can’t hit a proper ball.
ETA: AGAIN!
Hawes
Shannon Boxx really isn’t a fan of possession is she?
Comrade Luke
@Hawes: Not US possession anyway.
Patrick
Japan is targeting Buehler, she is a penalty waiting to happen…On the goal, Solo should have come and got it. She is a great shot stopper, but she is on her line watching things too much sometimes.
shirk
Boxx knows that the U.S. is wearing white uniforms, right?
Comrade Luke
You’re wrong Julie Foudy: O’Reilly has not had a good game.
MikeJ
The just mentioned O pic.
Corner Stone
BALLS!!
JenJen
ABBY WAMBACH IS A BOSS!!
Randinho
Wambach’s height rules!
Corner Stone
Fucking cross for the ages!!
Comrade Luke
Fucking perfect cross.
John O
Right ON.
Comrade Luke
@Corner Stone:
HighFive
:)
Randinho
Now stay focused!
Bill Murray
totally agree with that,
and what a ball by Morgan for the Wambach goal
Corner Stone
@Randinho: Ha! That was sheer balls, not height.
Perfect cross.
Brian R.
FUCKING A
Bill Murray
I’d probably bring in Sauerbrunn here or maybe Lori Lindsey
JCT
Keep up the play by play guys — I’m in the air and cannot stream anything!
Go USA!
Comrade Luke
Really need to stick with the game plan here. Don’t let them get another lucky break.
And especially: avoid the turnovers in your own end!
JenJen
Here’s a terrific photo of the First Family watching the World Cup Final. USA! USA! USA!
Corner Stone
It may be just me but it seems Morgan would rip people’s guts out with her bare hands in order to win this match.
MikeJ
@JenJen: The one I linked to is bigger. :P
Comrade Luke
Jesus Christ. Boxx. Just shoot it at your own net why don’t you?
Corner Stone
Jesus fucking christ! Clear the fookin thing!!
Comrade Luke
I hate the prevent defense. In any sport.
Martin
Man, dodgy defense…
Bill Murray
How ther heck did Julie Foudy get through Stanford with her math skills
Corner Stone
Possession on their end is good.
Comrade Luke
@Bill Murray: You’re asking how a professional athlete got through college based on their intelligence?
Corner Stone
I’m kinda in love with that blonde Nazi ref.
Hawes
Another breakdown. Holy crap.
Corner Stone
Kill! Kill! Kill!!
JenJen
Oh good grief that was a scary moment for USA defense. WTF happened? Hang on, Sloopy.
@MikeJ #172: I defer to you. Yours is bigger. ;-)
Also, a soccer thread has 183+ responses? This is awesome. :-)
Comrade Luke
WOW. What is with our clearing skills?
Randinho
Coronary time!
Corner Stone
Jesus. Get someone in there who knows how to smother a fucking ball.
Martin
And what the hell was that mess?
Corner Stone
@JCT: JCT, get ready for a cardiac arrest at 30,000 feet.
They can’t seem to clear shit for any amount of blood or money.
This is gonna be balls in to the wire.
Bill Murray
Rapinoe was looking pretty dead there. I’m hoping Heath knows how to clear from the back
Hawes
Heath needs to stop thinking net and start thinking pass.
Martin
Rapinoe earned that substitution.
Comrade Luke
These unforced turnovers are giving me a heart attack
MikeJ
Jeebus.
Hawes
WTG Captain
Corner Stone
Fuck! Kick!!
Jesus fucking christ!
Bill Murray
It’s not a US WWC final without a clearance off the line. and Solo is hurt. I kind of wonder how this late in the game with a one goal lead anyone can get behind you.
Comrade Luke
Wow.
Randinho
Merde!
Corner Stone
son of a bitch
Hawes
What a shit sandwich
Bill Murray
and Sawa scores off the nicely taken corner
shirk
Dammit. My heart had just started working again after Rampone’s clearance, and then…
JenJen
NOOOOOOOOOO
I’m feeling a bit ill. C’mon USA. Fuck. Please please please don’t let this come down to PK’s.
middlewest
Oh god what the hell.
Corner Stone
JCT, put your head tween your knees and breathe deep. Tie at 2 all.
lol
Most surprising Japanese strike against the US since 1941.
pete
On behalf of all the lurkers, thanks for your comments … I keep cutting between this and the Guardian MBM and the Yahoo UK one, and I feel i’m getting a sense of it … and I’d better post this before y’all commit ritual suppuku …
JCT
@Corner Stone — lucky I’m a cardiologist .
Crap sounds like we’re tied again — c’mon!
OMG, starting our descent into DFW — DAMN. Fingers crossed for a miracle win.
scav
I’m getting the distinct impression “Epic” is the word here. Good luck all. Breathe.
Bill Murray
Wambach blows the great ball from O’Reilly
Bill Murray
Good red from the Japan defender
Brian R.
Red card! Wow
Corner Stone
Flop.
Randinho
A deserved red card.
HumboldtBlue
wwow
Comrade Luke
If there’s any such thing as a “good red card”, that was it.
Corner Stone
Alex Morgan just wants this more than everyone else combined.
Martin
Wow! Great call. Hair’s breath to a penalty kick.
Hawes
Gotta win it here.
MikeJ
@Corner Stone: Bullshit
Martin
That was a really nice setup. Shame it didn’t work.
Corner Stone
@MikeJ: She sold it, but Japan had to take her out.
Don’t kid yourself.
JenJen
All good will and intentions to Hope Solo. COME ON USA!
SRW1
Man, this is going to be an epic classic a la the Italy – Germany 4:3 in 1970.
Now, who’s gonna be Italy?
middlewest
Oh god Hope Solo looking shaky
Yutsano
@JenJen: Did anyone think Japan was just going to roll over and play dead here?
Comrade Luke
Great game. Shame it comes down to this.
shirk
Who takes Rapinoe’s place in the PK lineup?
Davo
Hope’s got this for us..
MikeJ
@Corner Stone: Selling it isn’t flopping. She was tackled nice and hard, it put her down, and she stayed down longer than she needed to.
burnspbesq
Japan is down to 10. What happens if the shootout goes 11 rounds?
John O
Soccer would be better without PK’s.
Endurance and mental toughness are taken out of play.
Hawes
Boxx=LVP
I’m letting Lloyd off the hook.
Bill Murray
They start over at their #1. Boxx misses her first one just like before.
burnspbesq
Poor PK by Boxx.
Martin
Bad start…
Corner Stone
This is gonna be something.
Randinho
I don’t have a good feeling about this . . .
Lloyd Baggioed it.
Comrade Luke
Boxx & Lloyd fuck up. Who could have guessed?
Hawes
Congrats Japan.
Well earned.
I jinxed it again, didn’t I.
Corner Stone
Oooookay
Bill Murray
I don’t think the US can overcome this bad shooting
middlewest
USA falling to pieces, damn.
shirk
@Randinho: you said it…
Comrade Luke
Unbelievable
Randinho
0-3 dreadful
Hawes
Wow, fail sandwich.
Corner Stone
Man.
burnspbesq
Unreal.
MikeJ
As a supporter of England I’m used to outcomes like this.
Patrick
We choked up 1-0, choked up 2-0, and now we can’t hit the penalty kicks. Pressure undid us.
Bill Murray
Solo with a piece of it but can’t keep it out. Uff da
Corner Stone
Ugly.
stuckinred
sayonara
Corner Stone
Nice pace, good strike.
PanAmerican
Well shit
JenJen
Congratulations, Japan. Pffffffft. I’m still so proud of you, USA Women’s National Team.
:-(
Martin
Well earned, Japan. Not giving up is how we got to the finals.
Hawes
I feel terrible for Abby Wambach. She should have had a World Cup to her name.
Comrade Luke
Terrible way to lose, but when you give a team that many chances to stay in it you have no one to blame but yourselves.
stuckinred
JenJen
Hell yes
shirk
Oh. My. God.
Congratulations, Japan. Well deserved. What a final.
burnspbesq
And the missed chances in the first 30 minutes come back to haunt us.
Hawes
Now we know what Brazil and France feel like…
Patrick
Congrats to Japan :) The USA got to the final by playing 10 minutes of brilliant football per game, and in this game they played brilliantly except for 10 minutes…
Corner Stone
It just breaks your heart.
Violet
Well done, Japan. They’ve had a pretty awful year as a country. Nice they have something like this that is so positive.
Can I just say I hate penalty shoot outs. I always feel so bad for the keepers in that role. Just sucky all the way around.
Randinho
Every time I have watched a pk shootout, I have always felt that the pressure is not on the goalkeeper, but the penalty taker. Nothing has exemplified this more than this shootout.
burnspbesq
Three fucking posts.
Patrick
@Hawes: She had the ball 3 yards out and hit it over the bar…it will haunt her. But she has 2 gold medals I believe, which is just as good in Woman’s Soccer.
Hawes
Why didn’t Sundhagen sub in Sauerbraun?
Let the second guessing begin!
lol chikinburd
Absolutely a Hollywood ending (and one in which the USA were not the protagonists). Well done, Japan.
Corner Stone
Is Sundhage drunk? Or just a Viking?
Violet
@Randinho:
It’s on both, I’d think. Still hate them, no matter where the pressure is.
I heard a suggestion somewhere of playing X amount of extra time with the full team. If score is still tied, each side removes ones player, then play X more time. If still tied, remove one player again, etc. Eventually someone will score.
Hawes
Why are there a bunch of flight attendants on the field?
Linkmeister
PKs are annoying. It’s like deciding the winner of a baseball game with a home run derby if they’re tied after nine innings.
Corner Stone
Wombach is a better man than I am. Standing on her feet and taking those inane batshit questions.
Fuck that.
Hawes
And – on cue – the “Pressure Makes Us” ad comes on and makes a mockery of the previous thirty minutes…
Randinho
I’m not sold on that Violet.
It’s worth noting in the 1938 WC quarterfinals Brazil and Czechoslovakia played to a tie. The entire game was played again a few days later.
Blame it on television.
Comrade Luke
Right after Wambauch intimates that they pressure of the stage had a part in everything we see a Pressure Makes Us ad from Nike.
burnspbesq
The US is the defending Olympic champion. Are they in automatically, or do they have to qualify?
Randinho
As France and Sweden made it in by getting to the semis, I’m sure the USA is in as well.
burnspbesq
@Hawes:
Because Emirates is a presenting sponsor?
Spiffy McBang
@Hawes: Wambach absolutely should have a WC to her name. But she’s from Rochester, so maybe the Buffalo Sports Curse has some reach. :\
Patrick
@Hawes: I thought the same thing. 3 chokes is a bad lead up to that commercial.
Randinho
And in the Copa America Elano Baggioed the first pk for Brazil.
Corner Stone
Don’t center the rock under pressure.
Randinho
Brazil has failed on both pk’s and Paraguay missed their first.
Patrick
Stupidity by ESPN as usual. Can’t just let something be its own. Here is the tale of the tape:
1980 USA vs. Russia: Under 22 amateurs vs. professional all stars.
2011 WWC: #1 vs. #4 ranked teams.
Randinho
Andre Santos Baggioed his attempt as well.
Randinho
Paraguay 2 Brazil 0 in pk’s so far.
sb
As good a sporting event as I have ever seen. Remarkable.
Randinho
Brazil misses 4 penalties. Paraguay on to the semifinal, Brazil goes home.
Puta que pariu!
I feel even more vindicated by my position on where the pressure is.
JenJen
@Randinho Paraguay to the semi’s!! ACABOOOOOOOO!!
Corner Stone
“Pressure Makes Us”
Someone should have the God given decency to kill those commercials.
Patrick
@Randinho: I think everyone agrees, the keeper is not supposed to save any. Pressure on the shooter. Which is why it was strange to let Tobin Heath take the 3rd PK. She was barely in the game and think of all the Americans who never had a shot at a PK: O’Reilly, Morgan, Krieger, etc.
Patrick
The idea that the US Women’s team would miss 3 PKs and the Brazil Men’s team would miss 4 PKs, is unfathomable.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
I blame Pia Sundhage for not using the bully pulpit
Corner Stone
There was zero pace on that kick by Tobin Heath. Not sure she knew where she was going with it.
Comrade Luke
@Corner Stone: I don’t get why Heath was even in the list. She was barely in the game.
SRW1
Randinho
There’s a quota for the continental federations, which in the case of UEFA meant that only two teams plus England as the host country would qualify. So, while it wasn’t directly tied to reaching the semi finals, I can’t quite see who could rank above the US from CONCACAF.
Violet
@Randinho:
To each his own. I’m not a fan of the penalty kick shoot out match decider. Some people think it’s fine. I don’t think there’s a right answer, really. It’s just what people prefer. I like the Golden Goal solution better than playing complete periods. Some people don’t.
shirk
@Randinho: What’s your opinion of the idea that number of corner kicks should be the tie-breaker at the end of extra time?
Bill Murray
SRW1, technically Canada won CONCACAF WC qualifying
JenJen
@Patrick, #297
I know, right? I’m still sitting here, stunned.
SRW1
Randinho
Bill Murray
Wki is your friend:
The 2012 CONCACAF Women Pre-Olympic Tournament will be an association football procedure to determine the two participants at the 2012 Summer Olympics. It will be held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada between January 19 and 29, 2012.
Peter J
@Randinho:
The World Cup acts as a qualifier for UEFA.
The qualifier for CONCACAF will be the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Pre-Olympic Tournament held between between January 19 and 29, 2012.
Edit: 1 minute too late… :( ;)
Corner Stone
@Comrade Luke: Just an awful kick in real time, and replay is not giving her the better end of this.
aretino
UEFA uses the Women’s World Cup to determine Olympic Women’s qualifiers because there isn’t enough time for a separate qualifying process. There is already a packed schedule of qualification for the European Women’s Championship in 2013.
CONCACAF has a Olympic qualifying process which culminates in a tournament in Vancouver, Canada this winter. The top two qualify. Considering that the United States took third place in CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifying, nothing is guaranteed.
Comrade Luke
Can they make the defender that got the red card the MVP of the game?
SRW1
Comrade Luke
Don’t know. But she would not have ‘deserved’ it half as much as that Suarez guy in the WC210 quarterfinal between Uruguay and Ghana.
Mark Field
They should. Best red card I’ve ever seen.
Bill Murray
US had 27 shots but only 5 on goal. Japan had 14 shots and 6 on goal.
Comrade Luke
@Bill Murray:
Trying to figure out if the tactics at the beginning of the game were due to the players or the pre-game scouting. It sure seemed like there was a lot of individualism going on, where they were willing to take low percentage shots versus looking to pass.
There were more than one short-side shots, which leads me to believe it was a scouting thing, but who knows if we’ll ever know for sure.
MikeB
I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw this coming after the insane hyping
of the Brazil win. I’m sure that the US women are NOT overconfident
blowhards, but the flag waving US media and commercial interests
spent days goading them into looking that way, and as some have noted
above, the “Pressure” commercial was the ultimate irony.
I only saw the overtime periods, and I understand that the US missed
some good opportunities in regulation time, but I thought Japan looked
like the better team in OT and was actually surprised when the US
scored, and was not surprised at the final result.
Quiet confidence is a valuable attribute. I doubt that Japan’s media
was guaranteeing a Japanese win after the semis.
PK’s vs Golden Goals? Soccer is a low scoring game of attrition that
doesn’t seem to lend itself to an elegant tie game solution. Maybe
in finals like this they should play more games until someone wins on aggregate,
a game every other day, I’d enjoy that : )
Comrade Luke
@MikeB:
I think Rapinoe and Solo are blowhards, but the rest of the team seems very humble, certainly more than any other US team that is a favorite in their sport.
And I tend to give Solo a pass because she’s a keeper. They’re a different breed.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
games like this is why God invented booze.
JCT
Sigh.
Thanks for keeping me up guys- I wasn’t the only one tapping on my iPhone when the wheels touched down.
Connection delay so I’m watching the coverage with a huge beer.
At least it was Japan, they needed this.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
espn d-bag asked Hope Solo, “I can see the emotion in our eyes (decoded: you look like ya gonna cry), how do you feel”, and then the camera zoomed in for a close-p.
To her credit, she didn’t fall apart.
4jkb4ia
The USA came out on the wrong end of a great story. The principal reason to want them to win was Abby Wambach, who has accomplished everything else.
Paula
I’m sad, but it was clearly a tremendous match for both sides. The USWNT improved on almost everything people were telling them to improve. Japan had to be perfect and they were. Solo was hurt, which cost the team psychologically but can’t really be blamed on anyone.
I am proud of this team. And delighted by all the athletes who’ve basically shown up the Men’s World Cup in every possible way.
The only the thing I hate right now is that f*&*^%%$%$@#g crossbar.
PanAmerican
The Japanese certainly could have won it in 90 minutes if not for a lousy offside call. But then we would have missed Sawa’s goal. Check out the reverse angel replay – it was a backheel that glanced off Abby. One of the most amazing shots in World Cup history – men or women.