USWNT into the World Cup Final to make history (Video)

Published by adam | Filed under Fifa World Cup, Football (aka soccer)

USWNT celebrates

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The United States Women’s National Team leaves it late again as they dramatically beat France 3-1 in the Women’s World Cup 2011. The U.S will now advance to their third World Cup final and first in 12 years.

The USWNT started the game well and took the lead through Lauren Cheney in the ninth minute. The U.S. looked calm on the ball and had some nice possession at the start of the first half, but France’s high pressure and quick counter attacks seemed to knock the U.S women out of their rhythm. After the first goal, France began to have the majority of possession and chances. Much of France’s play went through their orchestrator Louisa Necib, labeled by the French media as the female Zidane.


France again outplayed the U.S. at the start of the second half and finally grabbed an equalizer in the 55th minute. With the score leveled at 1-1, the U.S. looked as though they would surely concede again. However, manager Pia Sundhage decided to change tactics and put in the technically gifted Alex Morgan in the 56th minute. Megan Rapinoe replaced Carli Lloyed in the 65th minute and made the impact the U.S needed, with energetic runs up the left wing. The towering Abby Wambach was moved slightly back, and her presence was felt immediately. With these smart changes the tides began to turn in favor of the Stars and Stripes.





Not long after Sundhage’s changes, Wambach came up big once again and scored the go ahead goal. Wambach crushed the ball in the French net from a corner in the 79th minute, after which she slammed into the left post, brushed it off and began her celebration. Wambach actually did not have much of an impact in the run of play, but her power and determination to score is what makes her one of the best players in the world.


Alex Morgan put the game to bed on a fast break when she cheekily chipped the French keeper in the 82nd minute.


USA will now play Japan in the final after they beat Sweden 3-1. If the U.S were to win on Sunday, they would hold the record with three world cups after already winning in 1991 and 1999. The straightforward USWNT goalie Hope Solo said she is confident that the U.S. will win Sunday: “The confidence comes from our perpetration and because we know we’re damn good.”