The Morning After: US vs. Brazil Women's World Cup Showdown

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.

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 Melksham 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.

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. 

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
 

The CAB's Spotlight On The Pele Vs. Messi Debate

The CAB's Spotlight will be a recurring piece on hot topics in the football world. The first post is in regards to the Pele vs. Messi debate, because unless you live in a hole with no connection to the outside, it's constantly shoved down your throat. And it's all Pele's fault.

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By Kayla

It's a trend all over the world in all sports, professional and amateur.  Anytime an athlete rises to prominence with their display of skill, talent, and grace people take notice and begin making comparisons to players who rose to fame before them or with them.  There have been plenty of debates and comparisons in the football world.  Recently the most prominent debate seems to be that of the Pele vs. Messi debate, mostly because Pele himself can't stop talking about it.

It's no secret that Pele is pretty outspoken.  When he's not giving advice to budding football stars, he usually likes to remind people that he is the best footballer in the world, although a threat seems to be on the horizon.  Lionel Messi has been suggested many times to be the footballer to touch the untouchable.  So how does Pele respond?  As anyone who's legacy is threatened would respond: by bagging on the opposition. The general consensus: Pele doesn't like being compared to Messi and he never shies away from a chance to cut down the young Argentinean.

The most recent gem he's provided is that Messi would need to score more than 1283 goals (Pele's career total) before Messi can be considered better than Pele (also that Pele hopes Neymar doesn't end up like Messi by performing well for his club but not delivering the goods for his country).

Like the fool that I am, I started to do the math to break it down statistically.  Then I had a revelation.  Comparing statistics is ridiculous in this instance.  Not only is Messi's career far from over while Pele's is fading from memory everyday, they also represent two different eras of football.  The game has changed drastically since Pele ended his career in the late 70's.  Also it's not fair to compare two totally different players.  They have their own individual styles that work for them and them alone.  Plus, I hate doing math.

Pele has been atop his throne for quite some time, but it's inevitable that someone else will come along.  That's certainly not to undermine the wonderful career that Pele had, but time will bring about a new player who will rise to the same amount of fame and success, if not surpass it.  Messi is a legitimate threat to Pele's legacy.

In short? I hate debates on who is the better player, Pele's record won't forever stand, and math sucks. Hard.

By the way, Happy Birthday, Messi.  Hope you wished for many more goals in your career, even though Pele wouldn't bow to you if you scored a billion.  But hey, can you blame Pele?  Wouldn't you be pissed if you earned the right to refer to yourself in the third person and it was in danger of being overtaken by an atomic flea?



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