Regular readers of this blog are fortunate indeed! They would have been prepared to take in yesterday's America v. Brazil contest in Women's World Cup Soccer.
The game was, in fact, one of the most exciting and engaging athletic events -- of any type -- I have ever seen. At a 6th grade softball game yesterday a few other Dads expressed the same opinion.
The US went up 1-0 early on and held the lead until a very "unlucky" set of events. Marta, the great Brazilian forward, split two US defenders and was fouled in the penalty area. This resulted in a penalty kick and a red card for the US center defender. Things looked bleak for a few minutes until Hope Solo -- everybody's favorite keeper -- dove left to make a seemingly spectacular save. Euphoria!! But within seconds things turned hopelessly bleak again as the referee negated the save saying Solo moved off her line too quickly.
The second penalty kick went in -- Solo was given a yellow for complaining -- and the US now had to play with 10 for the remaining 35. The US hung in there, playing inspired soccer.
In the overtime period, however, Marta quicky gave Brazil a 2-1 advantage with a brilliant touch in front of Solo. Remarkably enough, the US dominated overtime play as Brazil seemed gassed. Still, the US couldn't tie things up despite a seemingly endless series of corners from Megan Rapinoe.
Brazil did themselves in. With perhaps four minutes left in OT one of their players "flopped" -- feigned injury -- to stall for time. The notorious strategy failed, though, as the ref added a few extra minutes.
And with a few seconds left Rapinoe sent a brilliant cross to Abbey Wambach who leaped for a spectacular header. 2-2!
In penalty kicks the US was perfect. And Hope Solo, again, came through with the one needed save.
Sports really does not get better than this.
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