Mano Gil's point of view:

Since that incredible match in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007 a lot of expectations surrounds every game between USA and Brazil. Last night's match in San Diego was not different. I mean, the expectations were there but the intensity of the game was not.

One could say "C'mon Mano Gil, it was a friendly match!"

It's true but a friendly match with less than a month to the Football Tournament at the 2008 Olympics should be played with more attacking freedom then. And that simply didn't happen. The poor 1-0 score for the USA gave two main impressions: 1) This new generation of USA players have quality but they lack something that I'm still trying to figure out (I don't want to be unfair to the girls). 2) The team still suffers with high expectations to deliver the same results as the Michelle Akers/Mia Hamm/Julie Foudy Generation.

{Image removed as requested by ISI Photos}

Tash celebrates her goal against Brazil last night

It could also be the lack of an extremely creative attacking-midfielder that can make the right passes and the right connection with the forwards. Carly Lloyd and Lindsay Tarpley are good midfielders and play a very tactical game but I miss some creativity in midfield.

As for Brazil, of course that playing without Daniela, Cristiane and specially Marta makes all the difference. Formiga was killing herself trying to move the team forward. She played every position in midfield last night. And the defense behaved well but without the attacking force to pressure the USA it was just obvious that they would lose the match.

And now the "Abby Wambach case":

With only 32 minutes played in the game Abby rushed to try to reach a ball that was closer to the Brazilian defender. And with the obvious collision she suffered a midshaft oblique fracture on both her tibia and fibula.

In freaking good English it means: SHE BROKE HER LEG AND IS OUT OF THE OLYMPICS!!!

The goal number 100 will have to wait a little longer now - Photo by ALONDRA HERNANDEZ

Wambach is an admirable player. She's determined, she's funny and more than that, she scores goals. Until last night she had already scored 99 for the National Team and was eager to get the number 100. I feel very sorry for her injury but it's one of those that I'm sure (because I went through the same a couple years ago), so I'm sure she is going to think "why did I go for that ball, why?"...

Abby will need a 12 week recovery. Good luck girl, come back stronger!

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Alondra's point of view:

The USA played Brazil for their Send-off game in San Diego in front of a sell-out crowd. Everyone was excited for that game, and they did have expectations. They expected Abby Wambach to score her 100th goal. They expected the USA to win and score a lot goals.

It seemed like Abby would get her 100th goal as she had a couple chances early in the first half. The fans were rooting for Abby and her teammates, but soon it all turned into fear.

Wambach, eager to score a goal, went for a 50-50 ball with a Brazilian defender, and came down hard . She instantly waved her hand for attention. They took her away, and it turns out she broke her left tibia and fibula.

Her teammates were worried. Fans were worried. She is one of the best players on the team, and she is very passionate about soccer. She is a big loss for the team.

The US played continued playing a tough first half, and second half. Then when Natasha Kai came in for Lindsay Tarpley, she got the crowd started and brought the energy back up.

In the 85th minute, Carli Lloyd took a free kick, and crossed the ball into the box. Kai got her head on it and scored from 6 yards out. The fans went wild, and she gave them hope. The US ended with a 1-0 win over Brazil.

We all know that Brazil was playing without their star forward, Marta, and without Cristiane and Daniela. It would have been a different game with them on the field. They are very good players. Who knows what the outcome of the game would have been.

As for the USA, they are not doomed. They still have a chance at defending the Gold Medal. Even though they lost Abby Wambach, they still have players that can step up. Natasha Kai prove it, and Amy Rodriguez is a great froward that can cause trouble for any defense. Carli Lloyd can get more into the attack ands hoot from outside the box. Shannon Boxx is great in the air. Defenders Lori Chalupny and Heathr Mitts are key players for the US attack.

It will be harder now for the USA without Wambach, but she doesn't make up the team.

Accidents happen all the time, and the one that she was involved in is no different. She was going for the ball and instead got her leg broken. Hopefully, she'll recover well and soon.

All the US can do now is hope for the best, and play good soccer.

90" + 1" The USA gets their second victory in a row against Brazil. 1-0 with Natasha Kai's goal in the 84 minute. They got the win but what we're all worried about is how serious is Abby Wambach's injury. DON'T MISS OUR POST MATCH REPORT TOMORROW MORNING!

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89" A through ball to Natasha Kai got everyone here to stand up but she was offside.

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84" GGGGGOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL..... FOR the USA!!!!!!!! Carly Lloyd took the free kick and Natasha Kai heads it inside the net!!! Late goal for the USA that might just what they need to win this one!

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Young fans smile as the US WNT gets their another win over Brazil - Photo by ALONDRA HERNANDEZ

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83" Another good hassle by Amy Rodriguez. She gives the ball to Kai and she's fouled.

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81" A-Rod, the shortie spitfire, fights for a lost ball on the right and the USA has a corner kick. The ball is played back to Kate Markgraf but nothing came out of it.

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75" Brazil have not produced anything in the second half. Hope Solo is pretty much watching the game. But on the other hand the USA has been putting pressure on the green-yellow defense but the final touch, the goal shot is not happening.

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68" Ball in the box for Shanon Boxx but she couldn't get a good touch on it.

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67" Kate Markgraf is fouled and the USA has another chance on a set piece.

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66" Another great shot by Kate Markgraf. Andrea saves it.

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61" Natasha Kai on the right and she's on the ground. Tackled by Formiga. Free kick for the USA. And the fans on the stands show their support. The free kick is taken and the play was not well rehearsed. Nothing but a goal kick for Brazil.

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58" WOOOW!!! Amazing shot by Formiga... The ball went really close to the right top corner.

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55" And the USA came back for this second half determined to win this match. The team gets a corner and coach Pia Sundhage brings in Natasha Kai to replace Lindsay Tarpley. The team will play with 3 forwards now.

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46" The second half is on its way.

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HALF TIME: Both teams played well but nothing spectacular. It seems that there is still work to be done before any of these teams can claim that Gold Medal

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45"+ 3" After a good last chance for the USA, the referee blows thew whistle for half time

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45" Nice play by Formiga on the left wing but the low cross went straight out

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41" A good play on the right side and Lindsay Tarpley takes a good shot. Ball over the crossbar once again though

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36" Now I'm worried. Abby is still down and it might be more serious than we thought. It could be her left knee. She'll be replaced by Angela Hucles.

Photo by ALONDRA HERNANDEZ

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32" Abby and a defender goes for a tough ball challenge and Abby is on the ground. To get Abby Wambach it sure has to be a rough play. She'll be taken out on the strecher to receive that miraculous water and I'm sure she'll be back.

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29" Another harsh tackle on Abby. This time was Renata Costa. Abby sets to take it.... OOOOOOhHHHHH ... The ball probably hit the pigeon flying way way way over the bar

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26" Abby runs throught the midlle and is fouled by Formiga. The USA gets a dangerous free kick. Kate Markgraf takes the shot and kits the wall. On the rebound Abby alomst finds space to get free inside the box. And on the counter attack Brazil scares the Yankee defense.

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20" Corner taken, ball cleared by the defense.

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19" Good wing play by Jatobá. And Brazil gets the corner on the right.

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15" Both teams working well on defense and the ball the goalkeepers are pretty much watching the action. The USA just took a long range shot but the ball went way over the bar

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9" Heather Mitts sees the first yellow card of the night for pulling Pretinha's shirt.

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8" Good shot by Maicon on the left top of the 18-box. Solo saves with no major problems.

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6" Great play by Formiga. She dribles Kate Markgraf and gets the ball to her wing. But the cross was bad.

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4" Wambach is deep pursuit of the goal n two other good chances but the play coulnd't end the way she wanted.

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3" Abby Wambach turns her defender outside on the rightand shoots in diagonal. The ball goes wide.

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1" Game on: Brazil takes the kick off and the cozy small stadium is excited to watch Abby Wambach scores her 100th goal for the USA

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Before the match: USA and Brazil already warmed up here at the Torero Stadium and it's a beautiful Wednesday evening here in San Diego.

The lineups are already confirmed:

USA: 

1- Hope Solo, 2- Heather Mitts, 3- Christie Rampone, 15- Kate Markgraf, 17- Lori Chalupny; 9- Heather O'Reilly, 7- Shannon Boxx, 11- Carly Lloyd, 5- Lindsay Tarpley; 8- Amy Rodriguez, 12- Abby Wambach

Photo by ALONDRA HERNANDEZ

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BRAZIL:

1- Barbara, 2- Jatobá, 4- Tania, 5- Andreia Rosa, 6- Rosana; 19- Renata Costa, 7- Formiga, 9- Maicon, 14- Ester; 11- Pretinha, 18- Fabiana

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