04/25/24
July 13, 2011
U.S. Defeats France to Reach World Cup Final: Goals by Lauren Cheney, Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan led the U.S. past France 3-1 Wednesday in the World Cup semi-finals, putting the Americans in their first final since 1999. France had an enormous shot advantage through the first 70 minutes and were tied 1-1 on a mist-soaked evening in Germany.
Great game to get past. U.S. looked tired in first half, but France couldn't keep up the pace late. Will be nice seeing U.S.A. Back in the finals!
posted by dyams at 01:59 PM on July 13, 2011
Good things happen when Megan Rapinoe is on the pitch. Why is she not starting?
France has to be wondering how they lost. They were outshooting the U.S. by an incredible margin.
posted by rcade at 02:18 PM on July 13, 2011
That was a superb French team; technically far superior and quick to the ball. With a bit more luck on their side and a better keeper, who knows what might have happened.
Good to see Morgan get on the sheet with a nice finish - she had been showing flashes of promise but not a great deal of focus prior to today's match. Unfortunate to see how little Rodriguez has been getting done in games before giving way to Morgan.
If that brilliant run by Rampone had been converted, it would have gone into the lifetime highlight reel bank. Hope we get to see it again now and then anyway.
posted by beaverboard at 02:32 PM on July 13, 2011
The French are a great side, and they have the advantage of youth for the years ahead. I hope they'll show up in that kind of strength for the Olympics.
But the US keeps winning, and who'd bet against them now? They'll face a technically superior team in the final, but the spirit's there, as is the fitness, and the manager knows when to make changes.
posted by etagloh at 04:05 PM on July 13, 2011
The nice thing is we haven't talked about dives all through these posts.
posted by Folkways at 04:49 PM on July 13, 2011
The nice thing is we haven't talked about dives all through these posts.
How about grunting? Do they grunt? Cuz we'll talk about grunting for HOURS...
posted by grum@work at 05:10 PM on July 13, 2011
It seemed like the US got its second wind just about the same time France was slowing down a bit. There's no one better in the set piece than Wamback, at times she looks like a power forward heading for the hoop on an alley oop. Morgan's goal was just flat out pretty. There was a great pass to get her going, and then her run and shot were just perfect. Great play on the first US goal too. It was a case of making a basic play, but making it well enough to result in the score.
How about the Japanese side? The US will need to be on its mettle to get past them. I don't think the US has any physical advantage that the Japanese style of play cannot negate. I believe the US will have its best chance by playing solid defense and turning some changes of possession into quick strike counterattacks. If anything is to be said about the Japanese, it is that they play with the same will to win as the US. Sunday afternoon could be a fun thing to watch.
posted by Howard_T at 05:47 PM on July 13, 2011
Grunting, posted by grum@work at 05:10 PM on
July 13
Thought the grunting was a tennis thing.
posted by Folkways at 06:10 PM on July 13, 2011
Do they grunt? Cuz we'll talk about grunting for HOURS...
I thought that the consensus was that the grunting and all discussions thereof were sexy.
"ist"? Oh, sorry about that.
posted by tahoemoj at 06:11 PM on July 13, 2011
Morgan's goal was just flat out pretty.
She's got a true striker's sense of where the goal is. Not sure if that'll be enough on Sunday, but she's the real deal.
posted by etagloh at 06:13 PM on July 13, 2011
First minute of the second half: Was expecting to see the France player act like they got shot when the US player made contact inside the box to draw a penalty.