The player’s aren’t the only ones exhausted after a grueling 2-1-overtime victory for the United States over Canada in their Olympic Quarterfinal. Those of us who saw it through from the 6:00 am kickoff, the weather delay, full time and two overtimes, four plus hours worth in all, deserve at least a nap. That includes U.S. coach, Pia Sundhage.
“I feel like I am a player. I am exhausted and happy,” she said.
The match started on time in a heavy downpour reminiscent of the United State’s World Cup match against Nigeria in the middle of Typhoon Wipha. The match was halted in the 21st minute due to lightening, but not before Angela Hucles got the U.S. on the board in the 12th minute.
The break was fortuitous for the Canadians. The U.S. clearly had them on their heels and were playing some of the best soccer we’ve seen from them all tournament. The 139-minute stoppage killed the American’s momentum and allowed Canada time to regroup after a shaky start.
Canada didn’t waste any time after the match resumed. Christine Sinclair capitalized on a casual U.S. throw in, launching a rocket past an outstretched Hope Solo in the 30th minute.
Canada’s coach, Even Pellerud was forced to make an early sub, replacing goalkeeper Erin McLeod with Karina LeBlanc after McLeod was injured attempting to defend Hucles’ goal. LeBlanc played an outstanding match and kept Canada in it into the first overtime when Natasha Kai connected with a beautiful ball from Shannon Boxx for the game-winning header in the 102nd minute.
In what in hindsight appears to be a brilliant move, Sundhage waited until the beginning of the first overtime to sub Kai in for Amy Rodriguez. A fresh Kai was able to run circles around a clearly gassed Canadian side.
“I thought we did well at forward with A-Rod because of her speed and with Angela Hucles,” explained Sundhage. “We switched Carli Lloyd to a more attacking role in hopes that she would get some more shots. With all due respect for Canada, which is a good team, we were thinking about extra time and that 30 minutes. We got 30 minutes out of Tash so I thought that was good timing.”
The U.S. could have managed the waning minutes better. Instead of settling for possession and killing time, they pressed for a third goal, which made the last few minutes a bit nerve wracking for the fans.
The match marked an outstanding effort by U.S. midfielder Shannon Boxx, who was justly named Sierra Mist Player of the Match. Boxx also happened to be celebrating her 100th cap. Lori Chalupny was dangerous and never gave up on any ball despite taking quite a beating from Kara Lang and company. Christie Rampone and Kate Markgraf held the U.S. backline together well to contain Canada. Really, the match was a great team effort.
The U.S. enters their semi-final with Japan spreading the goals around. Angela Hucles is the leading scorer with two.
“The cool thing about this Olympics so far is that we’ve had so many different goal scorers,” said Heather O’Reilly after the match. “I think that is what’s making us special right now. We’ve had six different goal scorers for seven goals, so that’s a pretty cool stat and that’s what’s making us so unpredictable.”
The U.S. has managed this tournament well, getting better every match, a trend they hope continues through to the gold medal.
* Photo of U.S. goal scorer, Angela Hucles, by Brad Smith/isiphotos.com
The score held at 1-1. It was a fair result although I'd say Canada had a snitch better run of it. Here are a few select quotes from the post-game press conferences and mixed zone.
Even Pellerud, Head Coach Canada
"It was not the most exciting soccer from either team. The match was more solid than fantastic."
"The first half was a little dull but it picked up in the second."
Jorge Barcellos, Head Coach Brazil
"Goal for the Olympics is to win the gold."
On Marta
"She is able to solve problems that you can't even predict."
"She doesn't like to be treated as the best. She is a team player. Marta cannot play alone."
Christine Sinclair on the spirit of the match
"Brazil is not the cleanest of teams. Maybe we're not either ..."
Melissa Tancredi, who broke suffered a broke nose in the match, will "consult with U.S. player Carli Lloyd about face masks and is looking forward to having two matching black eyes with Carli."
Canada is up 1-0 on a goal from Christine Sinclair. Started with a long goal kick from Erin McLeod before bouncing off a couple heads and into Sinclair's path. She finished it with authority.
Melissa Tancredi has come off the field with what looks to be a broken nose. She's been taken to the locker room. Brittany Timko is on the sidelines, ready to sub in.
Half-time and the score is 0-0. Can't say that there has been any real flow to the game. Canada has put together a couple of good chances. Melissa Tancredi created an opportunity through sheer will and hustle but did have the angle or any one to help finish.
Christine Sinclair cut back a beautiful ball from the endline, but Claire Rustad could not finish it.
Brazil had the one good chance from Maicon. Speedster Diana Matheson put the kabosh on a Brazil counter attack in the wanning minutes of the half, running down Pretinha who looked to have a clear path to the goal.
I'll check back later in the match.
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