Miracle on Turf

By now, if you are a fan of sports, you have probably heard about the made-for-the-movies drama that unfolded yesterday at the 2011 Women’s World Cup. After American goalkeeper Hope Solo was handed a questionable, I say erroneous, yellow card while defending a penalty kick and giving up the goal on the rekick, enabling Brazil to send the match into extra time, the Brazilians took the lead with a goal by Marta in the 92nd minute.

The officials added 3 minutes of injury stoppage time after the second half of extra time, what appeared to be a mere formality. The Americans executed what is analogous to a Hail Mary in football, moving all of their players forward in the closing seconds. Their prayers were answered with a header in the 122nd minute by Abby Wambach, tying the score at 2 goals apiece and forcing a penalty kick shootout. American goalkeeper Hope Solo made a clutch save during the shootout, enabling the United States to win the match and advance to the semi-final round against France on Wednesday.


Against all odds, the American women never gave up.  1

Yeah, We Won. So What?

As I have said many times in the past, we love our sports in America. Soccer may have recreational participation comparable to football, basketball, and baseball in the United States. As a spectator sport, however, it is virtually non existent on the American sports fan’s radar. Women’s team sports, in general, take a back seat to men’s sports, with only one significant American professional team sports league for women, the Women’s National Basketball Association.

All of these factors, minimizing the significance of women’s soccer, take a back seat when the United States is on a global stage. Like in the Olympics and the men’s World Cup, American sports fans rally round the flag. Very often, the event itself lacks a compelling storyline. In men’s soccer, the U.S. is often outclassed by a more established soccer power. The women have enjoyed more favorable odds, with 1991 and 1999 World Cup championships and multiple #1 rankings in recent years, including this year.

Destiny?

The lofty expectations of this year’s American women’s soccer team in conjunction with the high drama of yesterday’s match have given the American team an aura of destiny. After executing the narrowest possible escape against Brazil (ranked #3 in the world) and the shocking elimination of the host country, Germany, considered a favorite by many, by Japan, the stars appear to have aligned for the American women for a second World Cup title in 12 years.

If you have not been tuning in because this is a women’s sporting tournament…if you have not been tuning in because it is soccer…if you are a fan of sports and support the U.S.A. internationally, you are missing out. The good news is that it is not too late. You will have at least one (hopefully two) more chance(s) to watch the women deliver a red, white, and blue World Cup. Don’t miss out on the history of this team of destiny.



The U.S. women are two wins away from partying like it's 1999. 2


1) Image from espn.com
2) Image from si.com