as i said earlier in the game, Brazil was gonna do dirty tactics if they are winning(fake injuries). Finally some justice for USsoccer.
People forget how good Sun Wen was. She was Marta for that team and they got no one the next generation.
where's the nearest cardiologist? what a game, never say die, never give up. Dear FIFA: just b/c it's a woman's world cup doesn't mean you have to have referees with ovaries, it's ok to just put out the best you got, even if they have chest hair. That was a flipping embarrassment. Neither goal was legit IMO. Buehler and Martha step for step, both pulling on each others shirt, and then the ball seems out of reach and Martha literally jumps up in the air, sprays her legs out and lands on her belly like a FROG and that's a penalty? Sorry, horrible call. and the second goal seemed offsides every time they showed it. poetic justice but that meant we had to play 55mins. with 10 and 30 extra mins. that we shouldn't have had to. 2 more games to go. USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA
I've gotten spoiled with high-def broadcasting. Looks like someone has smeared vaseline all over my tv screen.
On the whole, I thought the US was hard done. The ref really lost it on the PK call which was harsh to say the least. The fake injury was an utter joke, and one of those times where FIFA ought to use video evidence to review and suspend the player. But the US did have its share of moments. Wambach is a very clever player sensing contact and going to ground when it comes, however light. Llloyd's clear handball easily could have been a 2nd yellow for her. Several attempts were made for PKs on contact that simply weren't given. Also, the Brazil PK was retaken for what appeared to be a US player entering the box early, not Solo's movement. Technically, this can be called, though it rarely is treated in such black and white terms. The real issue here was the referee losing control of the game. Consistent, fair enforcement is their job as much as making every call within the laws of the game. This ref made a real has of it.
I've got to admit, Marta, and rest of the Brazilian squad pulled out all the stops, they resorted to such low tactics such as flopping, embellishment, diving, and even did some acting jobs out there that would make even some directors in Hollywood take note, but the bottom line is simply this, THEY STILL COULDN'T BEAT US!!! MATCH RUNDOWN: At the end of 90 minutes of regulation time, and with the USA down to 10 players for over 35 minutes due to a straight red card: USA 1:1 Brazil After an extra 30 minutes of extra time: USA 2:2 Brazil And FINALLY, after 120 minutes, and after penalty kicks, and after it was all said and done: USA 2:2 Brazil (USA advances 5-3 on penalty kicks) U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! (c'mon everybody join in, I can't hear you!!!)
While Buehler is out of the semi due to red card, nobody collected a second yellow card and the slate is cleaned so that nobody carries a yellow into the semifinal (so can't miss final due to second yellow of tournament).
I love penalties. Just because they are so stressful. What other sport puts everything on the line like that? Yes, fine game by LePeilbet. Switching Rampone to the left side really helped, and it was an easy, non-confrontational personnel change. Pia needed to do this a game earlier, but she got it right today. I was surprised to see Cheney come off, but obviously it worked in the end. I agree, I thought she had a fine game overall and she did score both their goals, which is of course, the purpose of a forward. And for the response to her this year in WPS, the English stopped baiting Ronaldo within a couple of weeks and his "transgression" was much worse. Really frustrating to watch the reffing today. I can accept the PK call, and will always do so until FIFA decides to give the refs some help. But to make that a straight red? To give a redo for that encroachment? Preposterous. But, if you ever watch any Premiership or the men's World Cup, you know that the answer is NOT giving the refereeing responsibilities to men, because, well, they suck too.