Arena Solo and the Gang - the Women's Soccer Thread

Anything for you, Roper.

 

Which is why I seriously doubt that the US is taking Japan lightly, in any way.

 

I think I'll be super-duper happy if US wins, but I would also be content if Japan wins. I've been rooting for both all the way and was actually hoping that it wouldn't come down to these two teams.

 

Brian Strauss brought out a good point - it's kind of like a set up of a Hollywood movie. I can see why a lot of people would be rooting for Japan, especially against one of the "old guard", two-time champion, number 1 ranked USWNT. The fact that Japan's very technically skilled doesn't hurt, either.

 

Pregame talk going on behind me with Brandi Chastain and Tony DiCiccio. Very nervous and excited!

 

Getting close...little over an hour until the match starts.

 

Looks like I'll get to see a bit of the first half. Wasn't sure I'd get that.

I (obviously) want the USA to win, but I know beyond a doubt it would be good for the sport if Japan won.

 

The field looks so gigantic. I rarely watch sports, but this is interesting at the very least.

 

YSWNT looking lie their male counterparts a bit ... Not finishing and then giving up counterstroke chances.

 

After 32 hit goalposts, the US finally scores!!!

 

I think this is why I don't watch sports. I watched, no score; I watched, no score; I step out for 10 minutes to get a bite to eat and the USA scores. YAY! then i walk in to watch Japan score. Boo.

Note to you sports fans, If the USA loses it's becaus I am watching and rooting for them.

 

See? I curse sports.

 

Congrats to Japan. The Japanese are waking up to the best news they've gotten all year.

Sucks to see the USA lose, but they lost to a classy team. I can't fathom why the US kickers weren't making them high in the corners (Wambach excepted), but I'm guessing they were exhausted.

 

And now that the US has demonstrated how not to take penalties... I feel so bad for them, they're never gonna get out of the shadow of '99.

We should've won that game so many times, we had about 50 shots that should've gone in and that one goal they scored was because our defense did one of the worst plays I've seen this cup, but at the end of the game it doesn't matter because even if we had more chances, Japan finished it.

It was a nice clean game for the most part though which is something I really appreciate. And I still love Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe.

 

We won't hold it against you. It was a good game, and both teams did very well. It's always messy when it comes down to PKs. I'm happy that Japan won; when they went on to the semifinals, it encouraged many in their nation. Having won the World Cup, Japan will know they can rebuild after the disaster back in March. I am also glad that the US are good loosers as well as good winners, as they proved in the game against Brazil.

Congratulations to Hope Solo, who won the Golden Glove; Abby Wambach, who won both the bronze boot and silver ball; and Homare Sawa for winning the golden ball.

P.S. I know what the Golden Glove and bronze boot are, but what are the gold and silver balls awarded for? Can anyone tell me?

 

Congrats to Japan! The US team made too many mistakes during that game. Lots of missed opportunities and some silly plays one of which cost them a goal.

 

Golden Boot is top scorer, silver and bronze runners up.
Golden Ball is best player, silver and bronze runners up.

 

Just had problems finishing. Congrats to Japan.

 

Well, at least we know who to blame.


I ended up having to listen to the game on radio and follow along online...I went to a friend's house for a cookout, and they don't have cable or dish. Disappointed that the US didn't win, but congrats to Japan.

 

Yup. USA has only themselves to blame. You've got to convert on those early chances. Should have been 2-, 3-, or ever 4-0 early on, and they couldn't finish at the net. Grant Wahl wrote after their first match that creating chances they can't finish would hurt them later in the tournament.

But, overall, congrats to Japan. I think it'll be really good for the Women's game to grow. Honestly, if they could just get ESPN to consistently throw their support behind them, they'd be golden.

 

There's been a lot of talk that the USWNT choked away the game. What do you guys think about that characterization of their loss?

 

Thanks, Marcus!