Abby Wambach's continued late-game heroics have the U.S. women's national team a win away from its third World Cup title.
The veteran U.S. forward scored for the third conseuctive game, heading home a Lauren Cheney corner kick in the 79th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock and lead the United States to a 3-1 victory over France in Wednesday's semifinal match. Substitute forward Alex Morgan added an insurance goal three minutes later to ice the match and help the U.S. women clinch a spot in the World Cup final.
The United States returns to the final for the first time since 1999, when it last won the tournament. The U.S. women will meet either Japan or Sweden in Sunday's final. The United States beat Japan twice by 2-0 scorelines in pre-World Cup friendlies and lost to Sweden for the second time this year in the final game of group play.
The United States opened the scoring against France in the ninth minute, when Cheney redirected Heather O'Reilly's cross from the left into the goal.
While the scoreline won't show it, France's midfield controlled the run of play for the better part of the match, and the French equalized in the 55th minute. Sonia Bompastor's cross from the left sailed over its target and inside the far post while U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo kept track of forward Gaetane Thiney.
The United States withstood the French momentum before pulling back ahead through Wambach's header, which tied her with Michelle Akers for the most all-time World Cup goals by an American (12). It was her header by the near post at the death that saved the United States from elimination in the quarterfinals against Brazil and forced penalty kicks, where the Americans made all their kicks and Solo came up with a key save.
France will play the Sweden-Japan loser in Sunday's third-place game.
What did you think of the game? Think the U.S. women will win it all? Would you make any changes to the starting lineup ahead of the final?
Share your thoughts below.
USA GO USA USA USA
Wambach is the man
Rapinoe has been great off the bench, but how do you take off a player like Cheney who’s also been great? Cheney scored and assisted today… it’s a good thing to have two players at a position who both deserve a shot, but I keep that particular spot as is.
Lloyd has been guilty of the wayward pass, but she also brings much needed stealth and trickery to the middle of the park, in addition to her defensive skills.
I think she’s just maybe a bit tired. Pia did the right thing taking her off.
But maybe it is time to start Rapinoe. But for me Rapinoe=instant offence. It’s great to have a weapon like that in the 60th minute when the match is close. The only other players that can bring that kind of offense are O’Reilly and Cheney and they DEFINITELY need to keep starting.
I just wish the girls would stop giving away possession so cheaply.
I’d certainly rather play Japan than Sweden-massive physical advantage for us…Wambach would destroy them
Japan looking dangerous.
Japanese are super in possession – very attractive style. While it doesn’t necessarily translate into a win, it is beautiful.
That lead didn’t last long…
Wow…Japan ties it up. Good game so far from what I’ve been able to see at work. I don’t know who I would rather see the US play at this point. Sweeden for the revenge I guess!
Wow — great read and a superb finish.
When the USWNT wins the world cup…I will propose to Alex Morgan!
If that were true, it would be a sad state of affairs. Fortunately, the USMNT would dominate the USWNT.
I think your assessment of Sweden and how they match up with the U.S. is a bit off the mark. In Sweden’s win in group play, the U.S. outshot them 21-6. Finishing was the problem, particularly from Wambach…she missed a point blank shot early on in that match. However, Wambach’s form has resurged, and Sundhage’s line-ups and substitutions have really begun to gel as this tournament has progressed. I have a hard time seeing Sweden “destroy” the U.S. in a final. First things first though, Sweden has to beat Japan.
Wow – I love Japan’s tiki-taka style!
mmmm… feels good, man.
I think we have to give a lot of credit to Lauren Cheney for moving to the middle of the pitch when Rapinoe came in, she was a calming influence and definitely provided a better attach from midfield. She also scored and got an assist.
except that watching WWC makes MLS look like champions league
is France the favorite for 2015?
Something is wrong with Mens US soccer when the Mexicans and the Womens team is better than the men.
Everyone keeps doubting the US Ladies and they keep shoving it down your throats. This has all happened before, and it will happen again.
France probably feels similar to the way our boys felt in ’02 after losing to Germany. They played attractive, dominant soccer for long periods of the game, stretching our defense, but the US made the big plays when it mattered.
Nice to be on this end of the score…
Ooooohhhh USA,
USA USA USA
Japan is a more difficult match up for the USA. The USA played poorly against Sweden as they often do when they dont need to win. They wont play poorly in the final.
Yeah, like that 1-0 win over Colombia – that was impressive!
The U.S. midfield looked very, very shaky for long stretches — most of the match, in fact. They seemed outnumbered and out of ideas. But the defense held firm, and while France dominated the middle 2/3 of the field, the U.S. mostly controlled the penalty areas. And it doesn’t hurt to have Abby Wambach terrorizing defenders and ‘keepers in the air. France’s nightmare — that their goalkeeper would come up short in the clutch — came true.
LOL
Don’t think so, dude. Don’t think they’re even the favorite to make it to the final, but to get to it and not only beat the US again but destroy them? 🙂
I had my nephews watching the game, too. Boys can also learn from the women’s game.
Hard to disagree. The U.S. was badly outplayed, but for the French decided lack of finishing. Good luck to the U.S., but they need better, cleaner midfield play in the title game.
And another thing Tony just reminded us of: the intangible of the Japanese playing for country in the aftermath of the tsunami. I know people keep talking about the American spirit and grit and determination and belief, etc, but I spent 5 years living in Japan and I can tell you that one thing you do NOT want to do as theiopponents is underestimate all those same qualities in the Japanese.
Nothing against Sweden at all — clearly they’re a quality team — but they would not appear to have any such special motivating factor in this situation.
Sweden is going to destroy the US again in the final, so best to temper expectations. Sweden has been playing head and shoulders above everyone else in this tournament.
Game ball Rapinoe.
We were heading for a loss and trapped in our own end until she came in. All of a sudden, we’re in their end and score two… almost three.
Pia – take notes Lloyd is not the answer
rapinoe and Morgan are exactly where they need to be…coming off the bench in the last 30 min to provide energy and spark to the team. They have been perfect where they are and are crucial to the USA s success.
1 more win and it’s all yours Abby!!!!
The USA midfield was pretty awful until Rapinoe came in. Boxx and Lloyd struggled all game long and were turnover machines. I’m really happy the USA won, but it’s kind of hard to believe considering how France dominated the midfield for most of the game.
It was a good win, but I doubt they can keep playing like this and expect to win in the final.
Exactly. Was saying the same thing (maybe to Ben) on the game thread. She was often a chance-killer.
so this is what it feels like to be a supporter of a dominating football team…
And Japan lost twice in friendlies to the US right before the tournament (though on the US’ home turf). They didn’t look nearly so threatening in those two 2-0 losses.
Nevertheless, I’d prefer the US face Sweden. Cannot see them beating the US again, especially so soon. Japan OTOH seems different and that same sort of swing (we’d have to beat them a 3rd time in a row) might now favor them…
Bring back the LA Sol…Marta, Abily, Boxx
Need Alex Morgan to start! WOOOO!
Rapinoe used to start all the time, but she is often a little erratic in her possession and passing, so she was relegated to the super sub role to bring the spark. Which has totally worked out so far.
agreee with teaching Jozy. and her and Lauren Cheney play the same position.
I had my 4 and 2 year old nieces watching the game. Hoping it inspires them.
It’s amazing how our women’s team is so damn good. They need to be on Letterman,million dollar sponsorships the View, hosting SNL. They need to get the respect they so deserve. We also need to definitely pump more money into the WPS. Make it into a 12 team league and make it the best women’s league in the world
Morgan > ARod
She reminds me of a female vsn of Giuseppe Rossi. Agreed on Rapinoe.
Rapinoe is an awesome super sub. Pia has been brilliant with her lineup and substitutions thus far; she could teach Coach Sweatpants a thing or two about that.
She started against Sweden and was fairly ineffective. She has been nothing but amazing coming off the bench. She’s the spark we need in the 60th minute. Keep it at that.
The US looked a bit tired, I am glad they were able to pull it out. A final against Sweden would be pretty exciting, considering they have lost to them twice recently.
I think the lineup should mostly stay the same, except with Rapinoe starting. I think she’s earned a starting spot at this point!
We need to get Wambach to teach Jozy how to properly head a ball. Also, I don’t follow this team as close as the men’s, but why doesn’t Rapinoe start?
Either matchup will be intriguing. Sweden as they’ve beaten USA twice. Japan beat Germany on their home turf.
I think they can handle Sweden in a rematch. Don’t know about Japan as I haven’t seen them play this tournament.