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ESPN 1pm


The U.S. will face Japan for the fourth time in 2011, and for the third time in FIFA Women’s World Cup history, but this time it’s for all the laurels. Japan worked its way to the team’s first FIFA Women’s World Cup championship game appearance by posting a 2-0-1 record in group play with a 2-1 win against New Zealand and a 4-0 win against Mexico. In the quarterfinals, Japan pulled off a massive victory against host and tournament favorite Germany. Japan’s 1-0 win was one of the biggest upsets in recent women’s soccer history. Japan followed up that performance with a dominating 3-1 win against Sweden in the semifinals to book their spot in the Women’s World Cup Final.

The USA’s win against Brazil in the quarterfinals was the first time in FIFA Women’s World Cup history a team had come back to win after falling behind in overtime. In fact, it is just the fourth instance in World Cup history, with the rare feat accomplished just three times before in the men's tournament.

Rachel Buehler will be eligible to play against Japan after sitting out her suspension against France for the red card received against Brazil. It was the third red card issued to the U.S. in six FIFA Women’s World Cups, but just the second of this tournament.

The U.S. is the only team to have advanced to the semifinals in every FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 120+2 minute goal from Abby Wambach in the quarterfinals was the latest strike in Women’s World Cup history.
Wambach’s goal against France was her 12th in the Women’s World Cup, tying her for third place all-time with Michelle Akers, behind Marta (14) and Birgit Prinz (14).
Wambach also tied Michelle Akers with 26 points in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Wambach has three goals and one assist in 2011, and is behind Mia Hamm (28) in the U.S. record books.
Hope Solo earned her 100th cap against France.
Japan and the U.S. will be meeting at the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the third time, having faced off in the inaugural event in 1991 and in 1995 in Sweden. The U.S. won 3-0 in 1991, and posted a 4-0 win in the 1995 edition of the tournament.
Before the three encounters in 2011, the U.S. had last faced Japan in 2008, playing the Asian power twice at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The U.S. came away with a 1-0 win on Aug. 9 in Qinhuangdao, followed by a 4-2 U.S. win on Aug. 18 in the semifinals in Beijing.
Ten players on the U.S. Women’s World Cup roster played in the two matches against Japan in the 2008 Olympics: Solo, Christie Rampone, Heather O’Reilly, Heather Mitts, Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Amy Rodriguez, Rachel Buehler, Tobin Heath and Lauren Cheney.
The penalty kick goal for Sweden in the 16th minute of the USA’s Group C final ended Hope Solo’s scoreless streak at 796 minutes, just 47 minutes short of the longest streak in team history, a record that has stood for 20 years. Kim Maslin-Kammerdeiner played 843 minutes without allowing a goal from 1988 to 1991, which were the first 843 minutes of her international career. Solo’s streak is the second longest in team history.

The 10 goals credited to the U.S. in the tournament have been scored by seven different players and five of those players – Lauren Cheney, Rachel Buehler, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan – scored their first Women’s World Cup goals.

Eleven players have made their Women’s World Cup debuts in this tournament: Ali Krieger, Amy LePeilbet, Buehler, Cheney, Amy Rodriguez, Alex Morgan, Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, Lori Lindsey, Kelley O’Hara and Becky Sauerbrunn.

U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has used 18 of the 21 players on the roster so far, with only the back-up goalkeepers and defender Heather Mitts yet to see the field.
Four players have played every minute so far: Krieger, Christie Rampone, Solo and Wambach.

The U.S. has 91 shots during this tournament, getting 37 of them on goal, scoring 11 times with seven different goal scorers.
Updated stats, lineups and results are available on the U.S. Women’s National Team page on ussoccer.com.

Wow, I almost forgot. Thanks! Go USA!

down with the Japs!

Let's go, USA!

This is from the last time the US men played in Germany. If this doesnt get you jacked up, nothing will.

wow, people actually singning our national anthem at a sporting event. Haven't seen that in ages.

(07-17-2011 12:11 PM)fsquid Wrote: [ -> ]wow, people actually singning our national anthem at a sporting event. Haven't seen that in ages.

That was before the Italy game in the 2006 WC. One of the most courageous displays in the history of US Soccer.

Brian McBride wants to play today.

Charlie is ready for the game.

Best part about today's game? Ian freakin' Darke.

The US just released their lineup for the game and we are going with a 4-5-1 so we are going to fight the Japanese for possession. Megan Rapinoe replaces Amy Rodriguez in the starting lineup. Also, Rachel Buehler returns after her suspension for her red card against Brazil.

[NOTE: for those new to soccer a 4-5-1 means 4 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 1 forward. Usually, that means youll have 2 central midfielders that control the center of the field and snuff out attacks, 2 wing midfielders that give options in possession and width in attack, and 1 attacking midfielder that links up with the striker and presses the opponent deep in their own end when on defense. It's a formation that creates possession and width but sometimes leaves the lone forward without support.]

cool shout-out from the Space Shuttle !!!!

GO USA!!!!

We are running rampant on the Japanese right now. They have no answers for us right now.

(07-17-2011 02:03 PM)aTxTIGER Wrote: [ -> ]We are running rampant on the Japanese right now. They have no answers for us right now.

It's a marathon. Not a sprint. US isn't gonna take the Japanese lightly. That's for sure!!

(07-17-2011 09:04 AM)fsquid Wrote: [ -> ]down with the Japs!

Japs? Really??

way to go ladies !!! keep it up !

1-0 USA

Alex Morgan with a beauty

AWESOME shot. USA!!