Thursday, August 9, 2012

USA edges Japan for gold medal in soccer




I know my photos aren't the best, but this will give you some idea what it was like in Wembley Stadium on an electric night. The top one shows the U.S. celebrating with some flags after their 2-1 victory. At the bottom -- and I loved this -- the Japanese players, many of them crying, went to both sides of the stadium and bowed together after the loss. They drew huge applause.

LONDON -- The U.S. women’s soccer team won the gold medal over Japan Thursday in a 2-1 thriller, avenging its lost to the same team in last year’s Women’s World Cup before 80,203 rowdy fans in Wembley Stadium.

Both U.S. goals were scored by Carli Lloyd, who scored on a header just eight minutes into the game off a perfect left-footed cross from Alex Morgan and then again off a powerful kick midway through the second half following at least a 30-yard run.

Lloyd’s second goal made it 2-0 for the U.S. But Japan had been unlucky not to score until then, with goalkeeper Hope Solo making a couple of great saves for the U.S. and another shot fading just wide. The luck changed shortly thereafter, as Japan’s Yuki Ogimi scored by chipping in a loose ball in front of the goal to halve the margin to 2-1.

The Japanese then tried one furious thrust after another to tie the game in the last 20 minutes. On the closest, Japan’s Maria Iwabuchi stole the ball and had an open shot from 10 yards, but Solo dove to knock it away. That incredible save was good timing for Solo in a variety of ways – her autobiography comes out Tuesday.

Ultimately, the U.S. defense held up and America claimed its fourth gold medal in the five Olympic Games that have featured women’s soccer. The chant “USA, USA” rained down from the stadium in the closing minutes.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

MVP = the crossbar

MW said...

Why would you put the results in the title that is front and center on the site?

Anonymous said...

If only our men were as tough as our women.

Anonymous said...

This is such an inspirational team! They are role models for my daughter and so many others - for all the right reasons! Hard work, dedication and working together towards a common goal - Go USA Women's Soccer!!!!

Anonymous said...

'If only our men were as tough as our women.'

Yep...especially when it comes to boxing. Geez...

Debbie said...

most news sources have been using the good 'ol spoiler alert....would've been nice to use here especially for such a huge game.

PT said...

Where can I, a large adult male, get a Hope Solo green Jersey?

Anonymous said...

Quit complaining about spoilers. Alerts are given when events aren't shown live, rather on tape delay on NBC, but this game aired live so if you don't want to know who won, stay off news sites