The Morning After is a recurring piece that highlights matches the morning after they occur. Or whenever we get around to posting the damn thing. This edition focuses on the riveting match between The US and Brazil that resulted in the US moving to the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup currently going on in Germany.
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By Kayla & Jacen
If you missed yesterday's quarter final match between the US and Brazil in the Women's World Cup, you're definitely kicking yourself by now.
The US ladies treated us to one of the most heroic and surely historic matches in a World Cup. A match full of ups and downs for both teams and some controversial calls ended in a dramatic penalty shootout that propelled the US Women to the semi-finals and to the forefront of the minds of Americans.
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| Brazil's Aline taking on Abby Wambach |
The match started great for the Lady Nats 74 seconds in when the Brazilian defender Daiane scored an own goal in a failed attempt to deflect a Shannon Boxx cross. The 1-0 lead was held through the first half as the US dominated Brazil. Brazil started showing signs of frustration at the end of the 1st half and both teams returned from the 2nd half just as they left in the 1st. Trouble struck for the US in the 65th minute, when Rachel Buehler was sent off with a straight red card for a phantom foul on Brazilian standout Marta in the box. Cristiane stepped forward to take the penalty, which was saved by Hope Solo. The celebration of the wonderful deflection was cut short by the referee Jacqui Melksha
m calling what appeared to be encroachment on the US's part and resulting in a Hope Solo yellow card due to her arguing vehemently. Marta stepped up to take the second penalty which she coolly slotted by Hope Solo to even the score 1-1. The composure of the US started to slip as the Brazilian's began dominating in possession. Playing with only 10 players started taking its toll as the US began showing signs of exhaustion as the clock wound down to end regulation time. Extra time began and two minutes in Marta scored the goal that seemed to be the end of the US's World Cup campaign, a controversial incident since it appeared Maurine, who made the pass to Marta, was offside. The goal was followed by desperate attempts to equalize from the US and time-wasting tactics from Brazil, including a feigned injury from Erika that resulted in a yellow card after she hopped off the stretcher and ran back on the pitch.
Time ticked away quickly as we saw more failed attempts by the US to score. Then the latest goal to ever occur in a Women's World Cup match came from a moment of brillance from a Megan Rapinoe cross to a Abby Wambach header into the twine. Abby Wambach's equalizer mirrored the same moment of genius from Landon Donovan's equalizing goal last summer in the final group stage match against Algeria that placed them at the top of their group and sent them to the knockout round of the Men's World Cup. After the last minute of extra time, the score remained 2-2 and the game continued into penalty kicks.
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| Rachel Buehler's Red Card |
Any penalty shootout is a nerve-wrecking experience, but it felt especially so for the US fans who sought justice after a match that was anything but fair. The US ladies were confident as Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Kreiger each stepped forward and successfully converted each penalty kick. The first two penalty kicks from the Brazilian ladies came low and left, and once Daiane stepped forward and kicked hers in a similar fashion, Hope Solo quickly dove to deflect it. Alex Kreiger's converted kick sealed the victory for the US as cheers erupted in the stadium and all over the world. Quite the way to celebrate the 12 year anniversary of the US women winning the 1999 World Cup in similar fashion when they defeated China in penalty kicks.
Abby Wambach and Hope Solo were the heroes of the match, but Hope Solo had more at stake than any of the other Yankettes. Hope Solo was benched in the 2007 Women's World Cup semi-final against Brazil in favor of Brianna Scurry, despite the fact that Hope Solo had only allowed two goals in four games in the campaign up until that point and keeping a clean sheet in the previous three matches. Brianna Scurry was selected for the match because of her experience even though she had not played a full match in three month's time. The result was a 4-0 loss that eliminated the US from the competition. Hope Solo gave an emotional interview after the match that she issued an apology for the following day as her response to the match came across as criticism directed at then coach Greg Ryan and Brianna Scurry. A backlash occurred and Solo's international career appeared to be over. Fate had other plans for Solo as a new coach brought a new chance. In the four matches between the 2007 and 2011 World Cup meetings with Brazil, Hope Solo held clean sheets all four times and proved she is worthy of facing the Brazilians. Yesterday's match cemented that fact as she showed confidence and poise in the penalty shootout and contributed to the hard-fought victory for the US.
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| Hope Solo's saving Daiane's penalty kick |
The victory not only keeps the US women's World Cup dreams alive, but also gives a much needed boost to US Soccer as a whole. After a disappointing Gold Cup final from the men, when they lost 4-2 to Mexico after gaining a 2-0 lead, the Lady Nats have pumped up the spirits of US soccer fans everywhere. The ladies will face France in the semi-final on Wednesday, and the winner will proceed to the final on Sunday. After the match that was fit for a final, the US are more than ready to face France.
Kayla is a writer, co-editor & co-founder of The Captain's Armblog. She enjoys eating too many sweets, writing, and defending Fernando Torres. Send her digital candies to thecaptainsarmblog@gmail.com
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