Our local news covered it. NBC news showed highlights before their coverage of the Women's Open at the Broadmoor. It was all over ESPN as the lead story on multiple shows. The World Football Daily podcast spent the entire first hour of today's show talking about it. Before I get too carried away, I must say that I really don't care that much or follow women's soccer. Compared to the men's game it can't compete on the same level physically (as with every other sport), but that doesn't mean it doesn't provide the viewer with everything else in terms of excitement, drama, passion, and the fact that these ladies are still representing our country.
In case you haven't heard, 12 years to the day that Brandi Chastain ripped off her jersey after winning the first World Cup for the USA from the penalty spot, we also beat Brazil in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks. Abby Wambach scored the lastest goal ever recorded in the Women's World Cup...in injury time...in extra time...after USA had played with only 10 players for over an hour. Everyone knew after the goal was scored that the USA would beat Brazil in a shootout.
The drama really stemmed from the fact that the USA should have won in regular time had it not been for some seriously questionable calls by the referee. First, the red card sending off probably wasn't even a foul. The ensuing penalty kick was saved to keep it 1-0 USA but the referee made the players take it again because someone from the USA had their toes in the box a fraction of a second before the kick was taken. You hardly ever see that called. Of course, the second time the ball went in the net. Brazil's second goal originated from a player in an offside position, yet again leaving everyone else feeling like fate was conspiring against the USA. When the Brazilians started acting and feigning injury, the crowd (and presumably the neutral fans) started to boo the Brazilians and got behind the United States.
Everyone watching the game had the same feeling - that is, that we were all witnessing a serious injustice happening before our eyes. Yet, the ladies just kept trying and trying instead of giving up. They fought until there wasn't any time left on the clock and were eventually rewarded, albeit with practically the last kick of the game. When it went to penalty kicks, I was very impressed with all 5 of the takers. All of the kicks were perfect shots and were executed flawlessly. Hope Solo saved another penalty kick and that was all we needed to advance.
A lot has been made about this game and the comparisons to the American spirit. That never say die attitude was readily apparent in this performance. I think one would be hard pressed to find another game where a team had to overcome this much adversity to win. Actually, the stats probably back it up. This was the first time in Women's World Cup history that a team down to 10 players and losing the match came back to win. I don't know if this has ever happened in the men's tournament, but I'm guessing it probably hasn't. This sort of thing on this big of stage just doesn't happen very often. This was a special performance and I'm glad that it got the recognition it deserves. If you don't believe my biased opinion, the fact that the average joe sports fan in this country was talking about the game should be enough to convince you. If male non-soccer fans are talking about a game and a team performance in the Women's World Cup, you know it had to be something special.
Unfortunately, no one will really remember this unless we go on to win the entire tournament. Just like the Miracle on Ice, it won't carry as much historical weight if we don't seal the deal against France on Wednesday and win the Final this coming weekend.
