Actually, a Brazilian got to the ball first although I think the encroaching player did get there in time to defend.
Game 6 of the 1986 World Series (Mets vs. Red Sox) was one of the worst baseball games ever played, it was also one of the best games of all time.
here's the video [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5znnDb0dR4"]YouTube - USA vs. Brazil | 2011 Women's World Cup | Red card, PK controversy, Marta, Hope Solo‏[/ame] at 16 sec., they only show it in entirety once, but the US player who marginally encroached actually overran the ball and the first player to touch it was a Brasilian who was guarded by Rampione, looked just outside the box as well when the Brasilian finally touched it, plus, per espn ---- FIFA's official explanation was b/c Solo came off her line, which makes it even worse. the call apparently came from the AR whose only responsibility is to watch the keeper but re-watch and just watch the AR. After the save she starts to trot backwards, switching the flag from one hand to the other and all of a sudden the whistle is blown, strange.
A view I've yet to read about the PK call in-game and the fake injury: I think the pk call is controversial no matter what, but it's a plausible call. No streaming TV ref, right? Also, remember that the ball was bouncing away from Marta, and she of course will stretch out as far as possible and reach for it, which necessitates a dive. Her foot was going towards the ball and the USA defender had her hand on Marta. So I actually didn't see any terrible fake dive at all, I saw a jump though. The fake Brazilian injury: remember to put it into perspective. Top men's league players do this all the time , the ONLY difference is that they act a little better a little longer. So in essence the Brazilian was much more honest about the game than a C. Ronaldo or Italian male player faking injury. Fifa has made it clear that acting is a legit part of the game that is simply a counterpart to reffing.
The only thing more annoying than people who discount the US performance against a team that all the so-called experts were touting as a big favorite (what do you call a team that had the officials allow TWO ridiculous goals AND made them play a man down for the last hour, AND that really dominated play for long stretches while short-handed? I guess if you just don't like the US women winning, you call it a bad effort), and what's this the sudden love affair with France. Jeff Carlisle is a moron - US courage over Brazilian skill huh? What skill is that? The willingness to look ridiculous falling over with no one around? Marta sticking her leg out and getting lucky? A bunch of step-overs while looking to play over the top? Face it, if the ref doesn't basically try to give the game to them (contentious decisions?? just wrong, that's all - no contention) this ends up 2-0 or more . . . The Brazilians looked pedestrian, and the US was able to control tempo and reduce them to cheating, whining, and ultimately surrendering. I'm not sure what the US was supposed to do here to get some respect - does anyone think there will be a World Cup knockout game where the US (or anyone else) has 80% of the possession? The French team is playing really well. They only lost to Germany 4-2, after all. And they beat an English team that is only about as over-rated as is humanly possible, in PK's. Le Sommer has been a revelation, Bompastor has been the best outside back in the tournament (with the possible exception of Krieger) - but come on. The US isn't going in with a puncher's chance here . . .
Sure we did. We were on our heels all night. Brazil had many more quality chances, was faster, was better on the ball. We had a hard time stringing more that 4 passes together and still had too much long ball. We were very lucky to take it to pks. Wambach picked a good time to show up Im no Brazil lover. In fact, I don't like them at all, I thought Marta's pk call was a dive and I hate the way they whine about calls. My real point in all this is that I think US soccer is in serious decline and that we drastically need a total change after all this is over. We should be much, much better
Well, you certainly are entitled to your opinion. It happens to be in serious conflict with the game that was just broadcast, but you can enjoy the fact that the USWNT team outplayed Brazil on the day and still keep your general opinion about decline. That would be more credible, IMHO.
I watch soccer but am not as religious & informed on rules as you guys/gals on here. So my question for you is, is it normal to have two different players take the same penalty kick? Cristiane missed her PK so instead Marta steps up to take it when technically it was for the same penalty kick and should have gone back to the original shooter. Right?
Nah, the goal would have been scored, but it would have been scored at 119' or 120' instead of 120'+2'.
Look people, this is probably the most drama-filled soccer game and best US win I've ever watched (I didn't see the Champions League final in Turkey that Liverpool won with an insane comeback, but did see the USA-Algeria WC'10 game), and if you want to say that the US outplayed Brazil, no one can stop you, though it certainly would make me think that you don't know much about soccer (out-toughed Brazil, sure, but that's different from out-played). It's pretty clear that Brazil had far more skill, but was tactically naive and not nearly as fit as the Americans. However, the US , when it had 11 players, displayed all the skill and sophistication of a lower-table English second-division side from the '70's, pressing hard, but consistently giving the ball away. Plus, they weren't even working the ball to the wings to send in a cross; they were repeatedly sending aimless hopeful long balls under no pressure from midfield or the back to random Brazilians 30 yards in front. The fighting spirit was terrific, but what happens when they face an opponent that has the same stamina and spirit but has more skill and can string passes together? It's disturbing that while most other countries have improved by leaps and bounds over the past 12 years, the US, which probably has the biggest women's soccer talent pool in the world, shows less tactical sophistication and skill than the '99 USWNT. BTW, my take in the officiating was that it wasn't good, but it was a wash, and didn't decide the game (& wouldn't have decided the game even if the US had lost). I wouldn't have awarded the penalty and given a red card, but if you look at the replay, you can see that Buehler had a fistful of Marta's shirt, so if the ref saw only that, it's hard to fault her for giving a penalty (or a straight red). On the other hand, I would have given Carli Lloyd a second yellow earlier in the half for her stupid blatant handball in midfield. I also think the rekick was harsh, but there was clear encroachment, so the US can't really complain there (however, the official FIFA report was wrong as Solo clearly wasn't off her line).
In one of these threads people wanted to see foreign-language commentary on Abby's goal. Found Arabic (I think) here: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F-JXHHA3SI&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F-JXHHA3SI&feature=related[/ame]
absolutely! I've watched the game twice! truly amazing. Abby's pure determination did a lot for this team. And Christie!!! Sorry Brazil, but you've been Ramponed.
That PK call was shocking. I'm guessing that there is no rule stating the same person has to take it. IMO it should be the same person if it has to be taken again. Nothing was said anyway. Anyone care to step in?
Anybody can take it. I have even seen Hope Solo take one in College. Often coaches prefer different players do it to add to the keeper's stress. Perfectly legal.