The Morning After: US vs. Japan Women's World Cup Final

The Morning After is a recurring piece highlighting matches the morning after or whenever we get around to posting it. This edition of Morning After focuses on the Women's World Cup final between the US and Japan.

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By Kayla


No matter which side you were cheering for, everyone was treated to a wonderfully entertaining World Cup final today.


Another dramatic game from the US brought about a different result for the #1 ranked team in the world.  Gaining and losing the lead twice and losing to Japan in the penalty shootout placed the Lady Nats in second in the Women's World Cup.  The game stayed 0-0 through the first half and into the second, with several close goals on the US's part.  Alex Morgan, who substituted in for an injured Lauren Cheney after the half, was responsible for the first goal for the US in the 68th minute.  Aya Miyama of Japan then scored in the 80th minute to equalize and keep hope alive for Japan.  After the game rolled into extra time, Abby Wambach put another goal into the net with another deadly header to pull the US back into the lead at 2-1 in the 104th minute.  Homare Sawa then responded in the 117th minute with a wonderful goal that put the game into penalty kicks.

Unfortunately for the US, this was not the same team that took penalty kicks against Brazil in the quarter finals.  The ladies that were calm, cool, and confident just a week ago today, seemed tired, rushed, and unsure.  Shannon Boxx took the first penalty kick that was easily blocked by Japan's keeper Ayumi Kaihori.  Carli Lloyd followed Boxx and launched her kick above the cross bar.  Tobin Heath failed to convert her kick in a similar fashion as Boxx, leaving Abby Wambach to show the only ounce of composure as she slotted her kick into the goal.  Hope Solo managed to save one kick by Yuki Nagasato, but it was not enough to save the US.  Japan claimed the title for the first time for their country, and no one can deny that it was well-earned after eliminating the hosts Germany, Sweden, and finally the US.

Despite the disappointing penalty effort from the US, the US ladies played an excellent campaign and managed to rally a country behind their efforts, including the Commander in Chief himself.  The Lady Nats have nothing to hang their heads about, and after the outpouring of appreciation and support, I'm sure they will return to the US with their heads held high.

Any monumental tournament like World Cup captures the attention of people who normally would not pay attention to the sport.  Soon after, it fades away from the forefront of the minds of society and things return to normal.  Let's hope in the case of the US ladies, they have gained new loyal fans that will not only continue to cheer them on, but also help bolster the financially suffering domestic league here in the US.


Images: Getty

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