One year later, the U.S. women’s soccer team is at it again.
Alex Morgan scored the game-winning goal in the 123rd minute of the United States’ 4-3 extra time victory over Canada in Monday’s Olympic semifinal. The goal now stands as the latest-ever in any FIFA event – but only by a minute.
Abby Wambach scored in the 122nd minute of the United States women’s soccer team’s match against Brazil in last year’s World Cup quarterfinal on July 10, 2011.
That goal turned what looked like sure defeat into a penalty shootout that ultimately saw the U.S. prevail and advance all the way to the World Cup final, where it lost to Japan in another shootout.
Much like Wambach’s goal then, Morgan’s goal on Monday (also a header) turned what would have been an untimely tournament exit into obscurity for the Americans into one of the most memorable women’s soccer games of all-time.
The U.S. has never failed to advance past the quarterfinals of a World Cup, but they were seconds from doing so last year. The American women have also never failed to make an Olympic gold medal match since women’s soccer became an event (three gold medals and one silver medal entering Thursday’s 2012 final). Morgan’s last-gasp heroics on Monday ensured that streak did not get tested on the crapshoots that are penalty kicks.
So the U.S. marches on to another tournament final after an epic win with one little catch – they have not yet won the gold medal.
Last year these U.S. players (all of the 18 except Sydney Leroux were on the 2011 World Cup roster) returned home to greetings from casual U.S. sports fans who thought they had won the World Cup.
Not so much.
On Thursday the U.S. will again face the challenge of winning another match just days after the emotional high of a come from behind victory. It will again be against Japan.
Expect late game heroics again. It’s a signature trait of the U.S. women and Japan has shown it is no stranger to the dramatic, having upset hosts Germany in extra time of last year’s World Cup quarterfinal and then twice coming back from a one goal deficit against the U.S. in the final, a rare instance of late-game defeat for the Americans.
Japan flirted with late game suspense again on Monday when it allowed France back into the match, but the world champions held on for a 2-1 victory.
The final 15 minutes of Thursday’s match – whether in regulation, extra time or both – will prove to be just as frantic as ever between two of the world’s best teams. And as the U.S. continues to prove time and again that it can never be counted out of any match.
There is something to be said, as cliché as it may sound, about the undying spirit of the squad. There is clearly a resilient mentality amongst the U.S. women which other teams lack in as much substance.
But that does not do justice to the incredible amount of talent on this U.S. squad. That world-class skill throughout the park is why the U.S. can manage these late-game heroics. Megan Rapinoe has had a great year and an even better summer. Just look at her knuckling bullet of a second goal on Monday (and this cheeky goal directly off a corner kick).
Morgan and Wambach up top are the match altering one-two punch. They are without question the best tandem of forwards in the world, although Christine Sinclair showed through her hat trick on Monday why she may hold that individual title.
What Morgan and Wambach bring are instant game-changing abilities. Morgan needs only to run onto a ball played over the top and use her speed to get in behind and score. Wambach’s physical presence allows her to win just about every ball played in the air.
Those characteristics don’t require time to execute; they require just a moment of brilliance.
Both are far more skilled than just those two dimensions of their games, but that collective ability to turn a game on its head is why the U.S. continues to conjure up these heroics that even Hollywood could not imagine. There was plenty of controversy on Monday and referee Christiana Pedersen clearly played a role in the match, but good luck finding a match where the referee is not a factor.
At the end of the day, Canada lost the lead its captain, Sinclair, established on three separate occasions. And that one moment of brilliance from Morgan, who hadn’t scored since the opening game against France, won the game for the U.S.
Now it is on to the gold medal match for the U.S. Whether or not Monday’s game is viewed as a highly entertaining one-off match or the climax of an incredible run to an Olympic title will hinge on the U.S. winning the gold medal on Thursday. Because just like last year’s triumph over Brazil, there is still plenty of work to be done.
Alex Morgan scores in the 123rd minute as the U.S. defeats Canada 4-3 in extra time. Megan Rapinoe adds 2 goals. Christine Sinclair has a hat trick for Canada. The U.S. advances to face Japan for the gold medal.
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