United States' Abby Wambach reacts after scoring
United States' Abby Wambach, left, and United States goalkeeper Hope Solo celebrate winning the the quarterfinal match between Brazil and the United States at the Women’s Soccer World Cup in Dresden, Germany, Sunday, July 10, 2011.
United States team coach Pia Sundhage, right, and United States' Abby Wambach, 2nd left, react after winning the quarterfinal match between Brazil and the United States at the Women’s Soccer World Cup in Dresden, Germany, Sunday, July 10, 2011.
Brazil's striker Marta is pictured during the women's football World Cup quarter-final match against the USA on Sunday. After his side's dramatic quarter-final exit from the women's World Cup at the hands of the USA, Brazil coach Kleiton Lima said he fails to understand the jeers for star striker Marta
An American tradition — by giving its all until final seconds, U.S. stuns Brazil
Somewhere, Mia Hamm is shedding a happy tear or two. Somewhere, Julie Foudy is letting loose with a whoop and a holler. Somewhere, Michelle Akers is leaping high and stretching her neck, Somewhere, perhaps, Brandi Chastain is once again tearing her shirt off. Or perhaps not, but she should be.
Had the U.S. accepted defeat while the clock ticked off the remaining seconds and the scoreboard showed Brazil ahead, 2-1, few would have complained. The U.S. players had given their all.
But acceptance is not the American way.
Wambach, Solo help deliver improbable U.S. victory in Women's World Cup
The sixth Women’s World Cup had been about overhauling soccer’s established hierarchy. It was unfolding in a manner that suggested the inevitable crowning of a first-time champion.
In Sunday’s quarterfinal in Dresden, Germany, the Brazilian national team and an Australian referee were following that script to the letter, right through the 120th exhausting minute.
But the U.S. women, who set their sport’s standard back when many countries and cultures considered soccer exclusively a male pastime, refused to play along. The Americans had been playing with 10 for nearly an hour when veteran forward Abby Wambach scored in the final seconds of overtime, with Brazil on the verge of celebrating a berth in the semifinals.
Wambach's header knotted the game 2-2, and the script was flipped.
VIDEO: U.S. Edges Brazil in World Cup Thriller
U.S. overcomes controversial ref decisions to beat Brazil on PKs
It just wouldn't be a major FIFA competition without outrage-inducing calls (or non-calls) from the referees and the 2011 Women's World Cup is no different. Still, the U.S. showed unbelievable resilience to overcome both that and being a player down for nearly an hour to advance to the semifinals on a penalty shootout won 5-3 after a 2-2 draw. Redemption, revenge for the U.S.'s 4-0 loss to Brazil in the 2007 WWC semifinal, this game had far too many components to properly highlight in a single post.
USA's Solo praises fighting spirit
"There is something special about this group, it's the energy, the vibe, the leadership," said Solo.
"Even when we went a player down and then a goal down in extra time, we kept fighting. You can't coach that, it is a feeling."
USA women's soccer shows guts in beating Brazil on anniversary of 1999 World Cup win
one of the greatest games in the history of women's soccer.
VIDEO: Studio 90 Extra Time Special Edition: Ali Krieger
American players, viewers rewarded for extra effort
The game was over, right? All that remained was for the last bit of stoppage time to expire and the U.S. women’s soccer team would be left with a bitter, controversial loss to Brazil in Sunday’s quarterfinals of the World Cup.
This is why you keep playing.
This is why you keep watching.
The next thing anybody knew, the ball was soaring off the left foot of Megan Rapinoe, crossing toward the goal. Then, almost like Dwight Clark’s hands extending to catch Joe Montana’s pass 30 years ago, here was Abby Wambach, leaping in front of Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia and heading the ball into the net, tying the game 2-2.
Impossible, except it happened.
Inspiring, because it never should have happened.
Impressive, in the wake of everything the Americans went through Sunday.
When the outcome ultimately was decided by penalty kicks, Wambach declared the closing sequence “a perfect example of what our country is about,” and who could argue with her?
Finally, we find the hate in the women’s game
As Brazil’s best player, Marta, took hold of the ball at midfield during Sunday’s quarter-final against the U.S., we heard something for the first time at this Women’s World Cup: boos.
A widely accepted and broadly beloved sport requires villains. On Sunday, the crowd found one in Marta.
Wambach for President
Republicans are said to be unhappy with their slate of Presidential candidates, so here's a suggestion: Why not draft Abby Wambach? The 31-year-old striker for the U.S. women's soccer team headed home the tying goal yesterday with only seconds left on the clock in extra time to send the World Cup quarterfinal match to penalty kicks. Wambach was also one of five Americans to make their penalties and defeat a talented Brazil side in one of the finest soccer matches you'll ever want to see.
We single out Wambach not merely for that classic late goal, which was set up by a splendid crossing kick from midfielder Megan Rapinoe. As impressive was the fact that Wambach seemed to will the Americans to victory despite a long evening of adversity. Yes, we know: The strict constructionists will say you have to be 35 to be president, but in this case we're willing to support a Constitutional amendment.
