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USA gives up lead twice, loses to Japan in penalties in WWC final

Japan USA 1 (Getty Images)

 

By FRANCO PANIZO

The feel-good story that was the U.S. women's national team at the World Cup has come to a close, and it does so without the fairy-tale ending.

The U.S. team lost in the World Cup final on Sunday, falling to Japan 3-1 on penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 draw. The win gave Japan its first ever World Cup trophy.

Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all missed their penalties in a game that saw the United States waste multiple opportunities and a pair of leads.

The Americans started the game strong, created most of the scoring chances, and looked ready for World Cup glory, but an inability to capitalize allowed Japan to equalize late on two separate occasions.

Alex Morgan, who entered the game at halftime, gave the Americans the lead with a left-footed finish in the 69th minute. Japan found an equalizer in the 81st, however, after a poor defensive clearance. The United States went ahead again in extra time off an Abby Wambach header in the 104th minute, but that was cancelled out when Homare Sawa flicked in a corner kick four minutes from the final whistle to force penalties.

Here are the match highlights in case you missed the game:

 

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What do you think of the USA losing to Japan on penalty kicks? Surprised more by the Americans' penalty kick performance or their inability to close out the game?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Yeah, a simple touch back to Solo would have done the trick. Krieger was not expecting that. I was frustrated with her all game. She booms the ball up field in times when we needed to keep possession. I don’t understand why Sauerbraun(sp?) was replaced after playing so well against France, I thought she was much better than Buehler had been throughout the tournament.

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  2. Thanks for that dose of reality, Dale Keiger. I suspect that the critics of those who miss penalty kicks after extra time—after two hours of running and concentration at the highest level—have never actually played the game.

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  3. She probably said that they were “writing” their own story. Also, I thought she did well to keep possession a good deal today. She should have passed he ball a few times, I thought, but wasn’t the worst player on the field.

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  4. There was once a rabbit who was happened upon by the finest coursing hound in the land. No matter how hard the dog ran, the rabbit turned and ran faster. After the hound had given up, a chipmunk came up to the rabbit and asked, “How did you outrun the fastest of the dogs?” Replied the rabbit, “He was running for a snack, I was running for my life!” Motivation affects performance.

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  5. -2 There is a subset of US soccer fans who think cumbaya, the sun will come up tommorow, and that all some people think about is dirty little winning. There is a reason they keep score. The ladies and everyone who cares about them are hurting today. I would never throw one of the players under the bus or call them losers. But today they gave one away. I will get over it in three or four days. for the ladies it will take longer if ever. They put on a good face after the game but they have to be hurting and I am hurting with them.

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  6. I don’t understand what you mean by cynical…the Japanese player read the situation and committed a professional foul, making sure it was outside the box, to avoid giving up a 1v1 with the keeper. She did the right thing to up the odds her team would stay tied rather than go down a goal.

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  7. I think Pia made the same mistake twice. The US was winning in midfield when they were pressuring. After each goal they went into the prevent defense and surrendered possession to a technically superior side.

    In textbook terms, this might have been the right call. Against Japan it was a losing strategy. They couldn’t do anything too dangerous when we were pressing. When we gave them time, that changed drastically.

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  8. Yeah, but technique alone doesn’t win soccer matches. Remember Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan? They beat Barcelona in the CL.
    And Holland made the World Cup FInal with VanBommel and DeJong. Italy won the WC in ’06 and were not the prototype of possession.

    FYI: China was once a women’s soccer powerhouse. You can add them to the list of “used to be good” like Norway. And Sundhage was an assistant coach there before she came to the US.

    It will be a long time before England will be a soccer power. The majority of the populace still views women’s soccer as a joke. When Kelly Smith retires, they are in deep trouble and American soccer made her what she is.

    And Homare Sawa (the Golden Ball Winner) has played in the USA since WUSA days, so the USA helped develop her, too.

    If we are so bad, why do all these players come over here to play?

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  9. I’ll preface this by saying that I’m very proud of the WNT. They never folded in this tournament, even when all looked lost. However, the major reason they were defeated today is because once they got the lead, they started playing not to lose instead of continuing to attack. It was ESPECIALLY evident after Wambach’s goal to take the 2-1 lead. They looked very shaky. Just a few moments before Sawa equalised, we were very nearly scored on because Rapinoe and Lloyd had no communication on what should have been a simple clearance…it just seemed like an inevitability that they would concede, and they did.

    Once it was at PK’s, I think we could have made some different choices on kickers. I most definitely would not have sent Boxx. She was lucky to get a retake against Brazil, and just didn’t look confident today stepping to the line. However, hindsight is always 20/20.

    I just feel so bad for some of our players, especially for Wambach. Man, that lady just plays with some determination and resolve. I’m not sure how old she is, or whether it’s reasonable that she’d play in another WWC, but if it is, I surely hope she wins one before she retires.

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  10. We don’t have good avenues of development for our women. College doesn’t cut it with its substitution rules and countdown clock. The women don’t have a U17 development program in Bradenton (I wonder why not?). They don’t have the possibility of leaving early like the men and going to Europe because the salaries aren’t big enough. We’re about to lose our pro league and give our players no options after college. So basically if WPS folds which is inevitable unless US Soccer steps in to help (like it did for MLS at the start), the players will have the W League which goes for 3 months.

    Why not make a semi-pro league with divisions in the west, east, middle, or wherever which will survive in the long time (like German Bundesliga). Pay the top players and the others can keep working their jobs or take part time jobs. We need to merge the W League and WPSL into one league and make a tangible, viable, development league.

    The other option is to send our players to play in Germany, Sweden, Japan, France, etc. where they pay decent salaries.

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  11. 1. Congratulations to both teams. Japan deserved to win. Yes, our defense let us down horribly both times. But you still need to finish and Japan did. Additionally, when you fail to finish as badly as the US did this match (especially early when we were dominating the match in possession and chances), you deserve whatever happens.

    2. Here’s what I think the real lesson for this WC is: women’s soccer is getting better and there is far more parity. The US needs to look out. I think our 2011 team is better than the 1999 team (in terms of technical ability, playing skill, athleticism). But we ended up winning not by really outplaying teams but more by heart and experience and organization–benefits of a women’s program that is the envy of most other nations (in terms of those attributes). As more nations (like Japan and France) continue to build soccer, I think we’re going to get left behind. We’re too dependent upon women’s college soccer for our talent and all the arguments with regard to the MNT apply doubly so for the women (b/c you don’t have a female Donovan or Adu skipping college and going pro).

    3. I think Sundhage has made big improvements in the team. Remember, under Ryan and Heinrichs, the rep of this team was that we couldn’t score in the run of play. Now women’s soccer is better and our technical ability and team play is better. But the gap has closed significantly. Brasil, France, Japan and probably Germany all have better technical ability than the US. How long before we add England, one of the Koreas, maybe China? Also, it’s depressing how North, Central and South America did this WC. USA and Brasil and then (crickets chirping). People expected real possibilities out of Canada and instead they were a physical team without much skill and no depth. Colombia and Mexico–not much to show. I could see the next WC with us possibly being this year’s equivalent of Norway–a side where people talk about how they “used to be good.” The reality is that our side is good, but the overall talent among the women (and other countries) has improved to the point where it’s a challenge for us.

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  12. My first thoughts during the post-game interviews with Abby & Hope were “That’s real class”. All athletes and fans can learn a lesson from them on sportsmanship and losing with dignity. My respect for them has gone through the roof. What a great example for youngsters!!

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  13. Alex

    The USMNT lost to a fabulously skilled Mexican team

    The USWNT lost to an undersized Japan team that could not get out of their own way, managed maybe 3 shots on goal but found a way to beat our “chicken without a head” women’s team.

    We should have won that game 3-0

    I sure hope you are not counting on a career as an analyst for Fox Soccer Channel.

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  14. Sorry but everyone has their own opinion. I think Foudy is terrific. She certainly knows the game and gives lots of insight. She speaks well and has a sense of humor. She also is still close enough to the team and players to give a human touch to the broadcast. And her analysis of the game is right on. Last of all, Carli Lloyd played today just as she did for the Red Stars. Hopefully this is her last game for the WNT.

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  15. Possibly the best comment ive read on any sbi thread. Also, you would really change the pk lineup that just converted every one of its pks the last game, ppl? Unless a taker goes the same way every time they do a pk, u shud keep the same ppl bc every kick is different. Donovan takes tons of pks for club and country and hardly ever misses. Rule: use the best pk takers available to u over and over again. Sundhage understands basics like this, thats y shes the national team coach.

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  16. Its not wrong with soccer. Its the fact that we are rooting for americans that are not, by any means, our top athletes. And, that sucks, and its what’s wrong with soccer.

    Some of us have high expectations. What’s wrong with that?

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  17. Someone needed to show some leadership on the pitch especially with the 2-1 lead and only minutes to play. I don’t know who the captains are but they needed to step up, and calm things down.
    In those last minutes, the USA played like they were down a goal, hurrying everything, running helter- skelter and into each other. Team-mates were tackling each other. There was one harmless ball driven toward USA goal where, without one Japan player contesting, two defenders and Solo all converged at once to make a hash of it. Cat got your tongue Hope? Poor finishing in the first few minutes and poor leadership in the last few done them in. Congratulations to both sides for a great game.

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  18. the defense as a whole had a bad game. i don’t and won’t understand the rampone bandwagon. this game, of all games, needed an experienced leader to calm the play. multiple times, including goal in reg, it was her blindly clearing the ball – straight up the center of the pitch and right to a japanese player – which left us struggling.

    Sundhage best attributes, devotion to certain players and positive attitude, turned into a weakness this game. Llyod played better but no where near good enough. she was clearly tired… no lindsey?

    i’m a huge sundhage supporter. truely. but she didn’t cut it this game. however, if she’s willing to learn (and change up the starters – drop lloyd and rampone, bring in suarbrunn) and adjust… then another cycle is justified. otherwise, if she thinks these players are “enough” — gulati needs to move on.

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  19. Maybe Lloyd should tryout for the French women’s team! She’d fit right in with her shot selection and placement (in the stands).

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  20. Its heartbreaking but I want to congratule Japan, they never give up, the US played better but well, thats soccer, the MNT should learn

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  21. Good points.

    Like you, I sorely missed Cheney. For me, she was the best “player” (not goal keeper, not scorer) on the team.

    Sometimes it looked like a case of too many chiefs, and not enough Indians. I think back to that free kick moment just outside the box. What the devil were they talking about? I’d understand if it was Alex Morgan (the only leftie in the squad) discussing whether or not she should take it, but it was Boxxy, Lloyd, and Rampone (if I’m not mistaken). Who was the boss?

    I also agree with the wrong subs. Up until this point Pia had the midas touch with her subs, but I think she made a mistake by starting Rapinoe. I also didn’t get why A-Rod didn’t start. Of course, she had been having a horrible World Cup as far as scoring goes, but she still did a job of spreading the defense, and she never seemed to lose confidence. (Btw– what the heck was Tobin Heath supposed to be doing? If her “job” was to maintain possession she failed miserably!)

    Ali Krieger (who I’m in love with, by the way) had a bad game, but we can talk about individual performances all day.

    For me the salient point was that Japan played like more of a team. Better luck in 4 years.

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  22. Not sure I get your response Paula.

    Your first post was this ‘feel good’ statement about how we possessed the ball so well.

    My point is that with smarter players (real soccer players) we should have beaten Japan 3-0

    Let’s call it the way it is …Japan is not very good and we gave them the game.

    And for Yo…if you think firing BB is going to make the difference you need to put your crack pipe down

    But we are not talking men’s soccer today

    Well Paula, are you taking a stand or giving another infomercial for soccer in the US

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  23. all the favorites in this weekend of soccer have fallen, this is just crazy. Congrats to Japan for their moral victory.

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  24. Paula

    Nice comments but we are 5 times better than Japan and if our players were coached the right way Japan could not have even touched the ball.

    Japan has 25,000 registered women players. We have that number just in Pennsylvania.

    Poor coaching (not Pia) caused this problem

    The coaches who got us to the top (when really no one else took the sport seriously) are responsible for bringing us down.

    The sad part is that most people are too blind to see this.

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  25. This is a reply to most above, not just Jim. Loved watching this game with my young son because you could see how hard the team worked for each other. Also, loved the skill Morgan showed for her goal and assist, not many on men’s team could have accomplished so much. Overall, glad to have this group represent the red, white and blue. Looking forward to more WWC’s.

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  26. I’m sure there will be no shortage of armchair athletes complaining about a “choke job” who, when put in same position, could have TOTALLY defended better/scored more than the USWNT today.

    Credit to Japan for having the presence of mind to not give up when falling behind.

    Credit to the USWNT for getting themselves to final, and possessing the ball more, and playing the best match they have played the entire tourney.

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  27. Give it up to Japan for following through. Congratulations to Japan. The US did very well in this tournament and the ladies should hold their heads proud.

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  28. That is true, but in another article shortly after the Gold Cup a respected writer for one of the San Diego newspapers said just that, that BB “has lost the locker room,” quoting a source close to the team saying, “The players are miserable.” (Article can be easily found in an Internet search.) That article and now the one by SI are about the only two by major outlets that are being honest about the simmering problems on the USMNT. The SI article is devastating–a must read for true fans of US Soccer.

    I am waiting for someone to finally write an in depth article exploring why BB for the first time in years did not start his son in the June 4 friendly against Spain, but sends out Jones and Edu with the B-team to be sacrificed to the best team in the world. And, lo and behold, after the massacre by Spain, Edu does not get another start in the Gold Cup, in fact, only played a few minutes while MB played all but six minutes.

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  29. If you know soccer you could see this coming…we rely on strength, speed and size. At best we play “partial possession” which is make a few passes and then panic kick.

    We are outstanding in pattern play in the box and we are faster,stronger and bigger than the other teams

    This all started 25-30 years ago with the philosophy of Dorrance and Diccio, two major frauds

    Sure Anson has won big at the college level but the guru of women’s soccer and all of his diciples have taught a game without emphasis on skill or how to play the game the right way. Diccio is just as bad

    Neither guy could coach a men’s team even at the college level and that is why they sought the women’s game…so they could be “guru’s” and make a lot of money.

    And today we suffered the fruits of almost 3 decades of their coaching….a team that did not have the ability to keep possession of the ball with a 2-1 lead and kill off the game.

    Thanks guys, go make more money selling tapse and books

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  30. Tough loss, but congratulations to Japan. If we had to lose the final, I’d much rather lose it to a country that plays the game the right way, with style and class, than to a couple other teams which shall remain nameless. I feel for Wambach, hopefully she’ll still be around in four years – it just wouldn’t feel right if she retires without a WC win on her resume.

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  31. I remind you that Roberto Baggio, a sublime player among the most skilled I’ve ever seen, skied a corner kick in a World Cup final, costing Italy the cup. PKs are much, much harder than they look.

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  32. What kind of reaction were you expecting? If you wanted to be an irritable, misogynistic brat, congrats. But if you thought this was a funny, man, seek help.

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  33. US Fairy tale run and feel good story? Sorry, but the US were expected to do this well, so not really a fairy tale. Despite being the last team to qualify, they were still a strong team and everyone thought they would challenge for the title.

    No, the fairy tale with the feel good story was actually completed with Japan’s win. Coming back from the tsunami disaster to have a fantastic (and shocking) run through to become the world champions. Congrats to the Japanese, who truly deserve it

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