US Women win Gold!

Thursday, 21 August 08, 11:35 AM · Comments(0)

The US Women played Japan in the semifinals, defeating them 4-2. Japan was the first to score in the 15th minute. They took a corner kick that bounced around in the area, and eventually was put into the net by Shinobu Ohno.

Then late in the first half, Hope Solo helped set up the equalizer. Her long goal kick bounced to O'Reilly on the right. She got around her defender and slipped the ball into the area, past Rodriguez, and Tarpley, until Hucles finally got her foot on it.

Right before halftime, Kate Markgraf played a long pass to Lloyd. She found Rodriguez, who played the ball to Chalupny in the left corner. She got into the box past a defender and shot a rocket into the roof of the net.

In the 70th minute, O'Reilly received a throw-in form Mitts on the right. She noticed the 'keeper off her line and shot a dipping ball from the right flank.

{Image removed as requested by ISI Photos}

In the 80th minute, Hucles scored her second goal of the game and fourth of the tournament. O'Reilly played a short corner kick to her on the right. She dribbled the ball into the area and shot the ball from the end line. The ball took a weird spin and ended up in the goal.

{Image removed as requested by ISI Photos}

Japan wasn't giving up as they scored in stoppage time. A cross from the left was shot by Nagasato into the near post, and Eriko Arakawa got the rebound from 3 yards out.

The US advanced to the Gold Medal match to play against Brazil, while Japan faced Germany in the Bronze Medal match, which Germany won 2-0.

This final was a rematch of the 2004 Athens Olympics. The US defeated Brazil 2-1 in overtime with the game-winning goal from Abby Wambach. This time Abby wasn't around to score the goals for the US, and they still came out on top. This game also went into over time. This game was back and forth for 90 minutes and the Brazilians had great scoring chances that just wouldn't go in, as well as the USA. Hope Solo came ip big for the US in the 72nd minute. Marta got around 2 defenders and took a shot from inside the box, but Solo got her arm on it and knocked the ball away for the US to clear it out. This was probably the biggest save Solo has ever made in her career. Amy Rodriguez also had a pair of great chances, but they didn't get past Brazil's 'keeper.

Finally in the 6th minute of extra time, Carli Lloyd scored the game winner. She received a pass from Cheney at the top of the box. Lloyd then passed it to Rodriguez who passed it back to her on an overlapping run. She took one touch and shot the ball from outside the box into the side netting.

{Image removed as requested by ISI Photos}

The US played an outstanding defensive game against the highly-skilled Brazilians. They defended in pairs and did whatever they could to stop them from scoring.

The US now comes back to the States with their Gold medals after a very exciting journey through the Olympics, coming back from a loss in the first game of the tournament.

A few weeks after they come back from China, the US will take on Ireland in a 3-game Tour with games in Philadelphia,New York, and Chicago.

Like this blog? Help spread the word: