Poor Brazil, and we’re talking about the Brazilian women’s team remember, a year ago they lose to Germany in the World Cup final and now they lose to the United States in the Olympic final in China. The class soccer team just can’t win the big one when they need to. They had plenty of chances late in the game but couldn’t knock it home.
But this win for the United States is all about redemption for two U.S. players: a goalkeeper and a defender. Hope Solo who was benched in the semifinals against Brazil in the World Cup a year ago and Heather Mitts, a defender who has suffered injury after injury leading up to so many big tournaments. Both players now have gold medals around their necks. It’s all worth it. All is forgiven.
Brazil, whose women’s team could beat a number of men’s teams I’m guessing, was on a tear late in the game with Marta running wild. Hovering her leg over the ball for a second, and then dashing off, slicing through the U.S. defense. The U.S. team held on, hats off to them and specifically Hope and Heather.
“Vindicated? I feel great, I feel amazing. I just won a gold medal,” said goalkeeper Hope Solo, whose banishment at last year’s World Cup symbolizes the struggles these Americans have had and without whom they wouldn’t have won this game.
This was a huge win by the United States, as they were also with out Abby Wambach, who broke her leg in a game leading up to the Olympics.
Moreover, the last time the United States played Brazil, when Hope Solo was on the bench, they were thoroughly embarrassed by the quick and skillful Brazilians.
This time though the women were able to assert themselves with a bit more confidence, hold their ground rather than dive in as much. But still, Brazil’s deft touches and turns will get the better of the U.S. next time and most teams in general. The U.S. has to develop players with skill rather than just physical strength and size. The best new players for the men’s team are players like Freddy Adu and Sasha Kljestan, players who take players on.
Extra: Would you like to see the women’s national team play live? The team will visit three U.S. cities after the games.
2008 U.S. Women’s National Team to Play Three Post-Olympic Matches in Philadelphia, New York and Chicago
The Fall Tour gets underway on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Philadelphia at 8 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field, and continues on Wed., Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The last of these three games will be played on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. CT at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.