• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The current Supreme Court is a rogue court. Very dangerous.

There is no compromise when it comes to body autonomy. You either have it or you don’t.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

When the time comes to make an endorsement, the pain of NYT editors will be palpable as they reluctantly whisper “Biden.”

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

Nikki Haley, who can’t acknowledge ‘slavery’, is a pathetic shill.

It’s a new day. Light all those Biden polls of young people on fire and throw away the ashes.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

Stamping your little feets and demanding that they see how important you are? Not working anymore.

Innocent people don’t delay justice.

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

Let’s finish the job.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

“But what about the lurkers?”

Mobile Menu

  • Four Directions Montana
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • 2024 Elections
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • Targeted Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Open Threads / Women’s World Cup Championship Open Thread

Women’s World Cup Championship Open Thread

by Randinho|  July 17, 20112:00 pm| 323 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

FacebookTweetEmail

This is it. Share your thoughts on who is going to win.

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « This is just weird
Next Post: T-1 Hour »

Reader Interactions

323Comments

  1. 1.

    Steeplejack

    July 17, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    USA will probably win, and I’m okay with that, but I wouldn’t mind seeing an upset by Japan. Particularly if USA comes out complacent and “We own this.”

  2. 2.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    Go USA Women’s National Team!! I’m so stoked. I’m so proud. I can’t wait to watch this match.

  3. 3.

    Yutsano

    July 17, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    NIHON GA GAMBAI!!

    (nothing against my home country. But the Japanese could REALLY use the good news.)

  4. 4.

    Ronnie P

    July 17, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Japan has already had the good news in just making the finals. Go USA!

  5. 5.

    Thoroughly Pizzled

    July 17, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    If Japan succeeds where China failed, my mother will have an aneurysm. Go, USA!

  6. 6.

    handsmile

    July 17, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    The knock-out round victories by the United States were the result of a storybook quality of collective fortitude in adversity, glorious moments of individual brilliance (Rapinoe, Wambach, Solo), and a French goalkeeper the likes of which offenses encounter usually only in their fondest dreams. Yet a victory, however scrappy, is still a victory.

    At the same time, the Nadeshiko were the beneficiaries of smiling good fortune in the 108th minute of their match with pre-tournament favorite Germany who failed repeatedly to capitalize on scoring chances, and, against Sweden, their own encounter with a blundering goalkeeper (who belatedly redeemed herself with a superb performance in yesterday’s third-place match). Nevertheless, Japan defeated two higher-ranked, more physically imposing squads through adroit ball movement and exemplary positional organization.

    (The frequency of goalkeeper howlers and failure to strike successfully from advantageous positions has tormented me into reliving Arsenal’s 2010-11 Premier League season.)

    In this one man’s opinion, to claim their third WWC champions trophy, the US should maintain a high defensive line to compress the midfield; the fullbacks should maraud forward; and the Japanese backline must be spread out wide. To accomplish that, the pace of Heather O’Reilly and Alex Morgan must be deployed throughout.

    Of course, employing such tactics will leave that team vulnerable to counterattacks and well-knit passing but the American central defenders have been shrewd and economical thus far, and Hope Solo is a candidate for tournament MVP.

    I don’t believe the US should adopt the favorite tactic of all mid-table English clubs: hoofing the ball to the big guy up front. “Even the liberal NY Times” in its profile today of Abby Wambach showcased her physical prowess and offensive capabilities. Japan will certainly prepare for this. Wambach’s preeminence will be amplified if the Japanese defense is stretched along the flanks. To play for set pieces and corners will be the most effective US strategy. Japan’s likely control of midfield, certain possession advantage, and recent technical superiority, will be rendered less decisive thereby.

    With all the deserving approbation heaped upon the Guardian for its coverage of the Murdoch scandal by Balloon Juice readers, I am somewhat reluctant to link the following article that may discomfit those whose sensibilities cannot abide other than full-throated USA huzzahs: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/jul/15/womens-world-cup-final-preview

    To those I would reply that, as a group, the Guardian football writers set the standard and would strongly recommend the comments section in which, much like this very blog, you will find much to amuse, inform, enrage.

    Dispassionately, I cannot foresee anything other than the US Women scoring more goals than the Japanese. Dispassionately, I cannot begrudge a victory by Japan.

  7. 7.

    Kirk Spencer

    July 17, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    From the Onion

    U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Better Not Fvcking Blow It

    MÖNCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY—In light of the enormous momentum and goodwill they are carrying with them into the Women’s World Cup final in Frankfurt this Sunday, sources confirmed the U.S. women had better be damned sure they don’t fvcking blow it. “Their gutsy yet elegant win over Brazil got everyone behind them, and their victory over France—complete with the second Abby Wambach header in as many games—made them look like a team of destiny, so they’d better not fvck this one up, because they’ll look like complete idiots,” thousands of bandwagon fans from across the United States said Wednesday, adding that if the team loses Sunday, its whole World Cup run will have been a fvcking waste of everyone’s time.

    [more at link]

  8. 8.

    cmorenc

    July 17, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    US will most likely win 3-1, but if Japan can keep the match even through the late minutes or go up a goal, Japan has a strong chance.

    Japan’s problem is that they don’t really have a good answer for Abby Wambach, especially not any that won’t leave other stronger, taller US finishers open too often.

  9. 9.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    @Ronnie P:

    Japan has already had the good news in just making the finals. Go USA!

    Word!

  10. 10.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Man, we need a better national anthem.

  11. 11.

    Yutsano

    July 17, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    @JenJen: Oh well, it’s not like I haven’t been in the minority here before. :)

    How’s the puppeh?

  12. 12.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    USA is in the finals even though they have had a hard time stringing three passes together. Japan can string 30 passes together. I’d like to see Cheney playing where Lloyd has been so inexcusable, like at the end of the France game.

  13. 13.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 2:47 pm

    Hugh ESE

  14. 14.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    @Martin: I like the US and I can not lie
    Those other countries can’t deny
    When a country walks in with freedom of speech
    You get patriotic

    Or we could just go with Woody G.

  15. 15.

    eastriver

    July 17, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Of course the first shot from Cheney is IN THE FACE. Natch.

  16. 16.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Cheney is up top, and Boxx and Lloyd are back to giving away balls in midfield.

  17. 17.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    I hate to pick on Lloyd, but can she ever keep those on frame?

  18. 18.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Man the US needs to put some of these chances on goal

  19. 19.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    @Yutsano #11: Young Lord Stanley is doing great!! A coupla pics of puppeh for you. He’s four months old!!

    And speaking of Lord Stanley, the only time I don’t root for Team USA is when Team USA calls itself the Boston Bruins. ;-)

  20. 20.

    Southern Beale

    July 17, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    USA! USA! USA!

    Okay it’s Margarita Sunday. Hubs and I saw the Harry Potter movie, went to our favorite Mexican place and had two giant margaritas, and are now home watching the world cup. Needless to say, anything I write for the next 3 hours may not make any sense.

  21. 21.

    Yutsano

    July 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    @JenJen: LOOK AT THOSE EARZ!! He’s gonna be a biggun too!

    My confession (which I already made but I’ll say again anyway) I was going for Canada in the Olympics. I’m such a traitor sometimes. :)

    the only time I don’t root for Team USA is when Team USA calls itself the Boston Bruins. ;-)

    A-FUCKING-MEN!!

  22. 22.

    TB

    July 17, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    がんばれ日本!

  23. 23.

    eastriver

    July 17, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    The Japanese fans just did the wave. 35 died.

    (too soon?)

  24. 24.

    Southern Beale

    July 17, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    @eastriver:

    Of course the first shot from Cheney is IN THE FACE. Natch.

    She’s no relation, is she? Honestly other than watching the matches I haven’t really been following this …

  25. 25.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Carli Lloyd needs to stop shooting from 30 meters. The USWNT is doing everything right except finishing.

    Pretty much the opposite of the Brazil and France games…

  26. 26.

    Southern Beale

    July 17, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    @eastriver:

    (too soon?)

    Umm … yeah … maybe …

  27. 27.

    dsc

    July 17, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    I don’t have cable–is there a FREE live stream anywhere?

  28. 28.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Time to unleash the Krakken Wambach.

  29. 29.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    ESPN3 has had previous games

  30. 30.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    Pia Feelin Groovy

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB10rJJX3dM

  31. 31.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    That wave joke was incredibly tasteless.

    I laughed though, so I’ll be seeing you in purgatory.

  32. 32.

    Ed Marshall

    July 17, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    @dsc:

    http://espn.go.com/espn3/index/_/sport/soccer-futbol#

  33. 33.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    Wambach is being marked very closely in the box.

    Main concern right now is that the strong start with no finishing leaves them vulnerable to a counterattack when they eventually catch their breath.

  34. 34.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    I absolutely hate it when a team I am vacking starts fast, dominates early and can’t finish. Bodes ill.

  35. 35.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    backing, even

  36. 36.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Ya’ll some down in the mouth mofo’s.

  37. 37.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Gaaaaaaaah so close. Keep it up, Abby!

    @Yutsano #21: Knew you’d like that. ;-) The pics, of course, but mostly the Bruins slam!

    @Southern Beale: Margarita Sunday, eh? Sounds lovely. Here in JenJenLand it’s 7-and-7 Sunday!!

  38. 38.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Karli Lloyd=LVP

  39. 39.

    Southern Beale

    July 17, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    Funny ….

    A Plothole in Atlas Shrugged to Drive a Train Through

    Rand’s premise is that ‘producers’ are so special, so different from the others around them, that without them the world can’t function. That they are, in fact, irreplaceable. And that, readers, is belly laugh worthy. As any military can tell you, when an officer falls in battle, the person promoted to the position either rises to the occasion or doesn’t – but even if the officer’s absence hurts in the short run, in the long run there is no such thing as someone ‘irreplaceable’.
    __
    The correlary to the idea that business leaders are irreplaceable is the assumption that those who aren’t already leaders are incompetent. There are certainly plenty of incompetent people in the world, especially if you define that as ‘not having a certain set of skills yet’. But there are many, many highly competent people with leadership ability (perhaps as yet undeveloped) that for one reason or another do not function in a leadership role.

    This is why basing real policy on fictional characters is stupid.

  40. 40.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    @eastriver:

    The Japanese fans just did the wave. 35 died.
    __
    (too soon?)

    Nah. I think it’s wise to get in ahead of the inevitable “meltdown” quips.

  41. 41.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    there’s the counter attack danger

  42. 42.

    gwangung

    July 17, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    The Japanese fans just did the wave. 35 died.

    Tasteless and tacky.

    I have a spot open on my Asian American comedy group….

  43. 43.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    Don’t want to jinx it, but this is the best midfield defense the US has put up so far.

  44. 44.

    freelancer (iPhone)

    July 17, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Goddamn, this is ridiculous in terms of opportunities.

  45. 45.

    Southern Beale

    July 17, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    How come there are no vuvuzelas?

  46. 46.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    They were banned by the entire world cept SA

  47. 47.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Ian Darke must be doing TV because we have some cockney dude Thomas or something with Ol’ Onoin Bag for color on radio

  48. 48.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Buehler? Beuhler?

  49. 49.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Vuvuzelas were banned in Germany at the same time as Mein Kampf.

  50. 50.

    dsc

    July 17, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    ed, you have to chose a cable provider to watch at ESPN and you have to sign in via your provider for remote access

    tried the arab emirates, but being in the US is a no-go territory

    I like FREE TV–we have and antenna and I REFUSE to pay for TV–can’t understand why ABC did not see the advantage of showing this–but it is WOMEN, so, …

    It’s not even at the top of the news on Google

  51. 51.

    dustycrickets

    July 17, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    @46…

    “They were banned by the entire world cept SA”…and Tampa Bay Rays home games.

  52. 52.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Nice, smiling Nazi referee..

  53. 53.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    @HumboldtBlue #47: Ian Darke and Julie Foudy on ESPN’s telecast.

    @dsc #50: I found multiple, free, non-ESPN3-streams of coverage just by googling “watch women’s world cup live.” Good luck and hope you’ll find one that works for you!

  54. 54.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    dsc

    ABC didn’t have the British Open on live either and now that is what is on.

  55. 55.

    Ed Marshall

    July 17, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    @dsc:

    I didn’t know, I’m on comcast so it just plugged me in automatically I guess.

  56. 56.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Wambach goes down easier than a tranny hooker when the fleet is in town.

  57. 57.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    They’re a good team, Jen, although for years Foudy was un-listenable, she’s gotten a whole lot better

  58. 58.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    If Wambach doesn’t take a dive in the box there she would have been in great position for a shot

  59. 59.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    And if she hadn’t made the goal last Sunday she’d be sitting next to you on the couch!

  60. 60.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    I admit it: I have the hots for Krieger.

  61. 61.

    eastriver

    July 17, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    58, I said the same thing

  62. 62.

    Brian R.

    July 17, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    No stoppage at all? Really?

  63. 63.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    I’m with you, Comrade Luke.

  64. 64.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    I’m hot for Krieger!

    That could be a song

  65. 65.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    half time. Seems like Lloyd and Rapinoe are trying a little too hard to be the heroes.

    and dsc Justin TV may have the game feed live

  66. 66.

    Origuy

    July 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    The positive steroid results that caused the North Korean team to be sent home were the result of a traditional medicine given to them to treat effects of a lightning strike during training.

    North Korea officials blamed traditional musk deer gland medicine used after a lightening strike for five positive tests for steroids at the Women’s World Cup, the biggest soccer doping scandal at a major tournament in 17 years.

  67. 67.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    An entire tournament’s worth of quality chances, and nothing to show.

    Sphincters tightening, US fans?

  68. 68.

    cmorenc

    July 17, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Anyone else think it’s a bit weird that one of the prime sponsors for this game is ROGAINE (hair restoration goo for men)?? OK, so there are plenty of men watching the WWC games and final too, but then why are there no beer company sponsorships?

  69. 69.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    burnspbesq

    Slow down
    you move too fast
    You got to make the moment last now

  70. 70.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Football fans should boycott Allstate. Their commercials with Tim Howard are the epitome of suck.

  71. 71.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Sphincters tightening, US fans?

    If it got any tighter I’d be a Republican Tea Bagger who bemoans the evils of pop culture on America’s utes.

  72. 72.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Wow, that was the worst commercial I’ve ever seen.

  73. 73.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    @burnspbesq #67

    Sphincters tightening, US fans?

    Not a bit. Pitch is practically tilted. USA playing very well.

    @burnspbesq #70

    Their commercials with Tim Howard are the epitome of suck.

    NOW you’re talkin’! Good grief. I’d rather watch a complete block of JG Wentworth ads* than see that Allstate awfulness even once more.

    *OK, not really

  74. 74.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    Morgan with the game winner! Calling it now.

  75. 75.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    Cheney is out with an ankle. Morgan in.

  76. 76.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    Man, that is one weirdly happy referee.

  77. 77.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    I was glad to see that Sundhage sat Amy Rodriguez, who I felt has been really unimpressive in the previous matches. The US would pick up the pace significantly when Rapinoe would sub in, and it seems starting her and moving Cheney forward have helped with the scoring opportunities. Now if some of them would actually find the back of the net…

  78. 78.

    Southern Beale

    July 17, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    Fmr. Fox News Executive: Americans’ Phones Were Hacked

    This is HUGE …

  79. 79.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    How is that possible?!?!

  80. 80.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    Morgan is known for her clutch goals — well those are about the only goals she has scored being the youngest player on the team.

    off the inside of the post, 3rd one in this game

  81. 81.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    Fuuuuuuuuck. Another post.

  82. 82.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    July 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    Watching this and the Copa America on Univision which feature Brazil and Paraguay, later Chile plays Venezuela. Yesterday saw an good match between Uruguay and Argentina.
    Uruguay won.

  83. 83.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Saranwrap on the frakking goals.

  84. 84.

    John O

    July 17, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    I’m calling it now. Too many posts clanked already to win in 90.

  85. 85.

    dsc

    July 17, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    feed removed from Justin Tv for copyright violations

    this sucks

    JenJen is your feed still working

  86. 86.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    Anyone catch what Krieger’s tatt says?

    “I heart Comrade Luke”?

    ETA: Appears to be “Liebe”, German for Love.

    So – close enough!

  87. 87.

    Yutsano

    July 17, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    @Comrade Luke: Yer drooling again dude. And yer gonna get Burnsy’s hopes up about Hope Solo again.

  88. 88.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Of course, Krieger means “warrior”, so I guess all’s fair.

  89. 89.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    @Yutsano:

    Yes, I’m drooling. Admitting it is the first step to recovery.

  90. 90.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    Japan is stepping up…

  91. 91.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    Foul not called and handball not called.

  92. 92.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    While “Liebe” is Germain for “Love”, I’m pretty sure “Box” translates to “turnover” in some language.

  93. 93.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    Frustration builds …

  94. 94.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    @dsc Don’t know if this will work for you, but please, to try!

    If it doesn’t work, try atdhe.tv; they have six links up right now and I’ve been able to access three of them easily.

  95. 95.

    freelancer (iPhone)

    July 17, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Hands off. Bring me Solo and the Wookie.

  96. 96.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Hey the US got one on goal, after the poor offside call

  97. 97.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    While “Liebe” is Germain for “Love”, I’m pretty sure “Box” translates to “turnover” in some language

    I used to think the same for Chastain as you think of Boxx.

  98. 98.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    OK, my sphincter is getting a wee bit snugger…

  99. 99.

    Tommy

    July 17, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I will openly admit I find soccer to be about the most boring sport to watch, but my gosh did I love playing the sport as a very young kid. At least where I lived soccer was about the first sport you could play. But alas, as I got older I went to other sports as just about everybody else did.

  100. 100.

    the exile

    July 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    France is the first women’s team I’ve ever seen i that actually plays classy, stylish, Brazil- or Barcelona-style soccer with great ball control and pinpoint passing. The first team to convince me that maybe the women’s game might be worth watching. And then their goalie and a top star get hurt and they get beat by a USA team that plays in the typical boring, artless English- German- American style that I so hate: long passes, all scoring from headers off corner kicks or free kicks, all force and speed, no creativity. So I’m back to watching the men– Copa America’s pretty exciting.

  101. 101.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    FUCK YEA

  102. 102.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Morgan off the great ball from Rapinoe. 1-0

  103. 103.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    MORGAN!!! Called it.

  104. 104.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Yes! Alex Morgan!

  105. 105.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Unbelievable angle.

  106. 106.

    Dee Loralei

    July 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    YAY!!!

  107. 107.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    What a shot.

  108. 108.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Megan to Alex ET LE BUUUUUUUUUUUUT!!

    Wooohooo team USA!!

  109. 109.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Hmm, I was just about to say Rapinoe was spending too much time inside …

  110. 110.

    eastriver

    July 17, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Like Ron Jeremy, she found the back of the box.

  111. 111.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    goal

  112. 112.

    Tommy

    July 17, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    Well so much for all the “experts” I heard say before the game that the Japanese women were too fast for us.

  113. 113.

    Southern Beale

    July 17, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    Awesome goal by Alex Morgan!

  114. 114.

    Brian R.

    July 17, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Sweet goal. Time to put it away.

  115. 115.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Like Ron Jeremy, she found the back of the box.

    Like Grampa Simpson she bulged the old onion bag. said in a bad Tommy Smyth voice

  116. 116.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    @burnspbesq: Yea, I was getting annoyed about the hotdogging with the ball, and then she played the perfect ball. Again.

  117. 117.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    Rapinoe has certainly been a revelation, with her amazing energy off the bench against France to her whipping that poor Japanese right back in the first half to the assist

  118. 118.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    Eastriver FTW!

  119. 119.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Only British broadcasters talk about the win at 1-0 with 20 min left…

  120. 120.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    Sooooo much soccer left…

  121. 121.

    aretino

    July 17, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    I used to think the same for Chastain as you think of Boxx.

    I used to think Chastain meant lucky not to get a read card for that.

  122. 122.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 4:20 pm

    @Hawes #74

    Morgan with the game winner! Calling it now.

    You just may end up being right! Alex is soooooo fast. My gawd, what a pretty goal. Watching her approach the ball is almost like watching Mia Hamm in her prime.

    ETA: OH SHIZZ Japan with the equalizer.

  123. 123.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Jesus. What a terrible clearance.

  124. 124.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Absolute breakdown.

  125. 125.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    Horrible panic.

  126. 126.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    Utterly disorganized at the back just then.

  127. 127.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    Need to get Buehler off the field!

  128. 128.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Those first half misses now loom huge

  129. 129.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    How bout you try to clear, hmm?

  130. 130.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    Good cross, but better D

  131. 131.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    @Corner Stone: And not into the center of the box.

  132. 132.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    pitch looks like it’s getting slick. Buehler slips on the Japan goal and so did Lloyd think.

  133. 133.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    How bout you try to clear, hmm?

    well Rampone did but right to Japan to start the move. Buehler was on the ground and the ball mostly just hit Krieger

  134. 134.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    where’s my goddamn bong …. mumble grumble

  135. 135.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    We look tired.

  136. 136.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    Rodriguez should sub for Rapinoe

  137. 137.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    @Bill Murray: Yeah, easy for me to say. But better to turn and kick it out of bounds and set up a corner.
    Should never shove it back to center under pressure.

  138. 138.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    what drama, fantastic stuff

  139. 139.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    Shoulda smashed that one touch.

  140. 140.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    Well, it almost had to end this way, didn’t it?

  141. 141.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    I, for one, blame @Hawes #74 for jinxing it… :-)

  142. 142.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    Anyone who doesn’t love the fact that the Women’s World Cup Final is heading into 30 minutes of extra time probably isn’t a sports fan.

    You kind of have to love it. USA! USA! USA!

  143. 143.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    They’re blaming Buehler, but it looked like Krieger kind of screwed the pooch more.

  144. 144.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    I for one, accept the blame…

  145. 145.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    @Hawes:

    I don’t agree. Buehler crossed it back into the center of the field. I doubt Krieger was expecting that.

    ETA: The one that really blew it was Rampone. Unforgivable, unforced turnover.

  146. 146.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    OooOOooOOoo!!

  147. 147.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    The people in the crowd with the hope goalie gloves need to make sure they’re together so they stop signalling “Ho”.

  148. 148.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    @Hawes: I agree. I think Buehler’s attempt to clear across the goal was reasonable given her position, and it was unfortunate that it hit Krieger. I also thought perhaps Krieger was mistakenly trying to clear it back to the other side and mis-hit, but I’ll wait for another replay to see.

  149. 149.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Call me a xenophobe but all I can think of when they talk about the Japanese players is how delicious they would all sound at my local restaurant.
    Yes, I’ll have the kumagai please.

  150. 150.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:43 pm

    Christ, Boxx can’t hit a proper ball.

    ETA: AGAIN!

  151. 151.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    Shannon Boxx really isn’t a fan of possession is she?

  152. 152.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    @Hawes: Not US possession anyway.

  153. 153.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Japan is targeting Buehler, she is a penalty waiting to happen…On the goal, Solo should have come and got it. She is a great shot stopper, but she is on her line watching things too much sometimes.

  154. 154.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Boxx knows that the U.S. is wearing white uniforms, right?

  155. 155.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    You’re wrong Julie Foudy: O’Reilly has not had a good game.

  156. 156.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    The just mentioned O pic.

  157. 157.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    BALLS!!

  158. 158.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    ABBY WAMBACH IS A BOSS!!

  159. 159.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Wambach’s height rules!

  160. 160.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Fucking cross for the ages!!

  161. 161.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Fucking perfect cross.

  162. 162.

    John O

    July 17, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    Right ON.

  163. 163.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    HighFive

    :)

  164. 164.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    Now stay focused!

  165. 165.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    @Bill Murray: Yeah, easy for me to say. But better to turn and kick it out of bounds and set up a corner.
    Should never shove it back to center under pressure.

    totally agree with that,

    and what a ball by Morgan for the Wambach goal

  166. 166.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    @Randinho: Ha! That was sheer balls, not height.
    Perfect cross.

  167. 167.

    Brian R.

    July 17, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    FUCKING A

  168. 168.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    I’d probably bring in Sauerbrunn here or maybe Lori Lindsey

  169. 169.

    JCT

    July 17, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    Keep up the play by play guys — I’m in the air and cannot stream anything!

    Go USA!

  170. 170.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    Really need to stick with the game plan here. Don’t let them get another lucky break.

    And especially: avoid the turnovers in your own end!

  171. 171.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    Here’s a terrific photo of the First Family watching the World Cup Final. USA! USA! USA!

  172. 172.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    It may be just me but it seems Morgan would rip people’s guts out with her bare hands in order to win this match.

  173. 173.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    @JenJen: The one I linked to is bigger. :P

  174. 174.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Jesus Christ. Boxx. Just shoot it at your own net why don’t you?

  175. 175.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    Jesus fucking christ! Clear the fookin thing!!

  176. 176.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    I hate the prevent defense. In any sport.

  177. 177.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Man, dodgy defense…

  178. 178.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    How ther heck did Julie Foudy get through Stanford with her math skills

  179. 179.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Possession on their end is good.

  180. 180.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    @Bill Murray: You’re asking how a professional athlete got through college based on their intelligence?

  181. 181.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    I’m kinda in love with that blonde Nazi ref.

  182. 182.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    Another breakdown. Holy crap.

  183. 183.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    Kill! Kill! Kill!!

  184. 184.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    Oh good grief that was a scary moment for USA defense. WTF happened? Hang on, Sloopy.

    @MikeJ #172: I defer to you. Yours is bigger. ;-)

    Also, a soccer thread has 183+ responses? This is awesome. :-)

  185. 185.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    WOW. What is with our clearing skills?

  186. 186.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    Coronary time!

  187. 187.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Jesus. Get someone in there who knows how to smother a fucking ball.

  188. 188.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    And what the hell was that mess?

  189. 189.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    @JCT: JCT, get ready for a cardiac arrest at 30,000 feet.
    They can’t seem to clear shit for any amount of blood or money.
    This is gonna be balls in to the wire.

  190. 190.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Rapinoe was looking pretty dead there. I’m hoping Heath knows how to clear from the back

  191. 191.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    Heath needs to stop thinking net and start thinking pass.

  192. 192.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    Rapinoe earned that substitution.

  193. 193.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    These unforced turnovers are giving me a heart attack

  194. 194.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    Jeebus.

  195. 195.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    WTG Captain

  196. 196.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:04 pm

    Fuck! Kick!!
    Jesus fucking christ!

  197. 197.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    It’s not a US WWC final without a clearance off the line. and Solo is hurt. I kind of wonder how this late in the game with a one goal lead anyone can get behind you.

  198. 198.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    Wow.

  199. 199.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Merde!

  200. 200.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    son of a bitch

  201. 201.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    What a shit sandwich

  202. 202.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    and Sawa scores off the nicely taken corner

  203. 203.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Dammit. My heart had just started working again after Rampone’s clearance, and then…

  204. 204.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    NOOOOOOOOOO

    I’m feeling a bit ill. C’mon USA. Fuck. Please please please don’t let this come down to PK’s.

  205. 205.

    middlewest

    July 17, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    Oh god what the hell.

  206. 206.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    JCT, put your head tween your knees and breathe deep. Tie at 2 all.

  207. 207.

    lol

    July 17, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    Most surprising Japanese strike against the US since 1941.

  208. 208.

    pete

    July 17, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    On behalf of all the lurkers, thanks for your comments … I keep cutting between this and the Guardian MBM and the Yahoo UK one, and I feel i’m getting a sense of it … and I’d better post this before y’all commit ritual suppuku …

  209. 209.

    JCT

    July 17, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    @Corner Stone — lucky I’m a cardiologist .

    Crap sounds like we’re tied again — c’mon!

    OMG, starting our descent into DFW — DAMN. Fingers crossed for a miracle win.

  210. 210.

    scav

    July 17, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    I’m getting the distinct impression “Epic” is the word here. Good luck all. Breathe.

  211. 211.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    Wambach blows the great ball from O’Reilly

  212. 212.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Good red from the Japan defender

  213. 213.

    Brian R.

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Red card! Wow

  214. 214.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Flop.

  215. 215.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    A deserved red card.

  216. 216.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    wwow

  217. 217.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    If there’s any such thing as a “good red card”, that was it.

  218. 218.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Alex Morgan just wants this more than everyone else combined.

  219. 219.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Wow! Great call. Hair’s breath to a penalty kick.

  220. 220.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    Gotta win it here.

  221. 221.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    @Corner Stone: Bullshit

  222. 222.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    That was a really nice setup. Shame it didn’t work.

  223. 223.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    @MikeJ: She sold it, but Japan had to take her out.
    Don’t kid yourself.

  224. 224.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    All good will and intentions to Hope Solo. COME ON USA!

  225. 225.

    SRW1

    July 17, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Man, this is going to be an epic classic a la the Italy – Germany 4:3 in 1970.

    Now, who’s gonna be Italy?

  226. 226.

    middlewest

    July 17, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Oh god Hope Solo looking shaky

  227. 227.

    Yutsano

    July 17, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    @JenJen: Did anyone think Japan was just going to roll over and play dead here?

  228. 228.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Great game. Shame it comes down to this.

  229. 229.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Who takes Rapinoe’s place in the PK lineup?

  230. 230.

    Davo

    July 17, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    Hope’s got this for us..

  231. 231.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    @Corner Stone: Selling it isn’t flopping. She was tackled nice and hard, it put her down, and she stayed down longer than she needed to.

  232. 232.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 5:15 pm

    Japan is down to 10. What happens if the shootout goes 11 rounds?

  233. 233.

    John O

    July 17, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    Soccer would be better without PK’s.

    Endurance and mental toughness are taken out of play.

  234. 234.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Boxx=LVP

    I’m letting Lloyd off the hook.

  235. 235.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Japan is down to 10. What happens if the shootout goes 11 rounds?

    They start over at their #1. Boxx misses her first one just like before.

  236. 236.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Poor PK by Boxx.

  237. 237.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Bad start…

  238. 238.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    This is gonna be something.

  239. 239.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    I don’t have a good feeling about this . . .

    Lloyd Baggioed it.

  240. 240.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Boxx & Lloyd fuck up. Who could have guessed?

  241. 241.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Congrats Japan.

    Well earned.

    I jinxed it again, didn’t I.

  242. 242.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Oooookay

  243. 243.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    I don’t think the US can overcome this bad shooting

  244. 244.

    middlewest

    July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    USA falling to pieces, damn.

  245. 245.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    @Randinho: you said it…

  246. 246.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Unbelievable

  247. 247.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    0-3 dreadful

  248. 248.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Wow, fail sandwich.

  249. 249.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Man.

  250. 250.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Unreal.

  251. 251.

    MikeJ

    July 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    As a supporter of England I’m used to outcomes like this.

  252. 252.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    We choked up 1-0, choked up 2-0, and now we can’t hit the penalty kicks. Pressure undid us.

  253. 253.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Solo with a piece of it but can’t keep it out. Uff da

  254. 254.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Ugly.

  255. 255.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    sayonara

  256. 256.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Nice pace, good strike.

  257. 257.

    PanAmerican

    July 17, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Well shit

  258. 258.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Congratulations, Japan. Pffffffft. I’m still so proud of you, USA Women’s National Team.

    :-(

  259. 259.

    Martin

    July 17, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Well earned, Japan. Not giving up is how we got to the finals.

  260. 260.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    I feel terrible for Abby Wambach. She should have had a World Cup to her name.

  261. 261.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Terrible way to lose, but when you give a team that many chances to stay in it you have no one to blame but yourselves.

  262. 262.

    stuckinred

    July 17, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    JenJen

    Hell yes

  263. 263.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Oh. My. God.

    Congratulations, Japan. Well deserved. What a final.

  264. 264.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    And the missed chances in the first 30 minutes come back to haunt us.

  265. 265.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Now we know what Brazil and France feel like…

  266. 266.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Congrats to Japan :) The USA got to the final by playing 10 minutes of brilliant football per game, and in this game they played brilliantly except for 10 minutes…

  267. 267.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    It just breaks your heart.

  268. 268.

    Violet

    July 17, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Well done, Japan. They’ve had a pretty awful year as a country. Nice they have something like this that is so positive.

    Can I just say I hate penalty shoot outs. I always feel so bad for the keepers in that role. Just sucky all the way around.

  269. 269.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Every time I have watched a pk shootout, I have always felt that the pressure is not on the goalkeeper, but the penalty taker. Nothing has exemplified this more than this shootout.

  270. 270.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    Three fucking posts.

  271. 271.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    @Hawes: She had the ball 3 yards out and hit it over the bar…it will haunt her. But she has 2 gold medals I believe, which is just as good in Woman’s Soccer.

  272. 272.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    Why didn’t Sundhagen sub in Sauerbraun?

    Let the second guessing begin!

  273. 273.

    lol chikinburd

    July 17, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    Absolutely a Hollywood ending (and one in which the USA were not the protagonists). Well done, Japan.

  274. 274.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Is Sundhage drunk? Or just a Viking?

  275. 275.

    Violet

    July 17, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    @Randinho:
    It’s on both, I’d think. Still hate them, no matter where the pressure is.

    I heard a suggestion somewhere of playing X amount of extra time with the full team. If score is still tied, each side removes ones player, then play X more time. If still tied, remove one player again, etc. Eventually someone will score.

  276. 276.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    Why are there a bunch of flight attendants on the field?

  277. 277.

    Linkmeister

    July 17, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    PKs are annoying. It’s like deciding the winner of a baseball game with a home run derby if they’re tied after nine innings.

  278. 278.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Wombach is a better man than I am. Standing on her feet and taking those inane batshit questions.
    Fuck that.

  279. 279.

    Hawes

    July 17, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    And – on cue – the “Pressure Makes Us” ad comes on and makes a mockery of the previous thirty minutes…

  280. 280.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    I’m not sold on that Violet.

    It’s worth noting in the 1938 WC quarterfinals Brazil and Czechoslovakia played to a tie. The entire game was played again a few days later.

    Blame it on television.

  281. 281.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    Right after Wambauch intimates that they pressure of the stage had a part in everything we see a Pressure Makes Us ad from Nike.

  282. 282.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    The US is the defending Olympic champion. Are they in automatically, or do they have to qualify?

  283. 283.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    As France and Sweden made it in by getting to the semis, I’m sure the USA is in as well.

  284. 284.

    burnspbesq

    July 17, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    @Hawes:

    Because Emirates is a presenting sponsor?

  285. 285.

    Spiffy McBang

    July 17, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    @Hawes: Wambach absolutely should have a WC to her name. But she’s from Rochester, so maybe the Buffalo Sports Curse has some reach. :\

  286. 286.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    @Hawes: I thought the same thing. 3 chokes is a bad lead up to that commercial.

  287. 287.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    And in the Copa America Elano Baggioed the first pk for Brazil.

  288. 288.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    Don’t center the rock under pressure.

  289. 289.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Brazil has failed on both pk’s and Paraguay missed their first.

  290. 290.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Stupidity by ESPN as usual. Can’t just let something be its own. Here is the tale of the tape:

    1980 USA vs. Russia: Under 22 amateurs vs. professional all stars.

    2011 WWC: #1 vs. #4 ranked teams.

  291. 291.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Andre Santos Baggioed his attempt as well.

  292. 292.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    Paraguay 2 Brazil 0 in pk’s so far.

  293. 293.

    sb

    July 17, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    As good a sporting event as I have ever seen. Remarkable.

  294. 294.

    Randinho

    July 17, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Brazil misses 4 penalties. Paraguay on to the semifinal, Brazil goes home.

    Puta que pariu!

    I feel even more vindicated by my position on where the pressure is.

  295. 295.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    @Randinho Paraguay to the semi’s!! ACABOOOOOOOO!!

  296. 296.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    “Pressure Makes Us”

    Someone should have the God given decency to kill those commercials.

  297. 297.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    @Randinho: I think everyone agrees, the keeper is not supposed to save any. Pressure on the shooter. Which is why it was strange to let Tobin Heath take the 3rd PK. She was barely in the game and think of all the Americans who never had a shot at a PK: O’Reilly, Morgan, Krieger, etc.

  298. 298.

    Patrick

    July 17, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    The idea that the US Women’s team would miss 3 PKs and the Brazil Men’s team would miss 4 PKs, is unfathomable.

  299. 299.

    Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)

    July 17, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    I blame Pia Sundhage for not using the bully pulpit

  300. 300.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    There was zero pace on that kick by Tobin Heath. Not sure she knew where she was going with it.

  301. 301.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    @Corner Stone: I don’t get why Heath was even in the list. She was barely in the game.

  302. 302.

    SRW1

    July 17, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Randinho

    There’s a quota for the continental federations, which in the case of UEFA meant that only two teams plus England as the host country would qualify. So, while it wasn’t directly tied to reaching the semi finals, I can’t quite see who could rank above the US from CONCACAF.

  303. 303.

    Violet

    July 17, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    @Randinho:
    To each his own. I’m not a fan of the penalty kick shoot out match decider. Some people think it’s fine. I don’t think there’s a right answer, really. It’s just what people prefer. I like the Golden Goal solution better than playing complete periods. Some people don’t.

  304. 304.

    shirk

    July 17, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    @Randinho: What’s your opinion of the idea that number of corner kicks should be the tie-breaker at the end of extra time?

  305. 305.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    SRW1, technically Canada won CONCACAF WC qualifying

  306. 306.

    JenJen

    July 17, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    @Patrick, #297

    The idea that the US Women’s team would miss 3 PKs and the Brazil Men’s team would miss 4 PKs, is unfathomable.

    I know, right? I’m still sitting here, stunned.

  307. 307.

    SRW1

    July 17, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Randinho

    Bill Murray

    Wki is your friend:

    The 2012 CONCACAF Women Pre-Olympic Tournament will be an association football procedure to determine the two participants at the 2012 Summer Olympics. It will be held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada between January 19 and 29, 2012.

  308. 308.

    Peter J

    July 17, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    @Randinho:

    As France and Sweden made it in by getting to the semis, I’m sure the USA is in as well.

    The World Cup acts as a qualifier for UEFA.

    The qualifier for CONCACAF will be the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Pre-Olympic Tournament held between between January 19 and 29, 2012.

    Edit: 1 minute too late… :( ;)

  309. 309.

    Corner Stone

    July 17, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    @Comrade Luke: Just an awful kick in real time, and replay is not giving her the better end of this.

  310. 310.

    aretino

    July 17, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    UEFA uses the Women’s World Cup to determine Olympic Women’s qualifiers because there isn’t enough time for a separate qualifying process. There is already a packed schedule of qualification for the European Women’s Championship in 2013.

    CONCACAF has a Olympic qualifying process which culminates in a tournament in Vancouver, Canada this winter. The top two qualify. Considering that the United States took third place in CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifying, nothing is guaranteed.

  311. 311.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Can they make the defender that got the red card the MVP of the game?

  312. 312.

    SRW1

    July 17, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    Comrade Luke

    Don’t know. But she would not have ‘deserved’ it half as much as that Suarez guy in the WC210 quarterfinal between Uruguay and Ghana.

  313. 313.

    Mark Field

    July 17, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    They should. Best red card I’ve ever seen.

  314. 314.

    Bill Murray

    July 17, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    US had 27 shots but only 5 on goal. Japan had 14 shots and 6 on goal.

  315. 315.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    @Bill Murray:

    Trying to figure out if the tactics at the beginning of the game were due to the players or the pre-game scouting. It sure seemed like there was a lot of individualism going on, where they were willing to take low percentage shots versus looking to pass.

    There were more than one short-side shots, which leads me to believe it was a scouting thing, but who knows if we’ll ever know for sure.

  316. 316.

    MikeB

    July 17, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw this coming after the insane hyping
    of the Brazil win. I’m sure that the US women are NOT overconfident
    blowhards, but the flag waving US media and commercial interests
    spent days goading them into looking that way, and as some have noted
    above, the “Pressure” commercial was the ultimate irony.

    I only saw the overtime periods, and I understand that the US missed
    some good opportunities in regulation time, but I thought Japan looked
    like the better team in OT and was actually surprised when the US
    scored, and was not surprised at the final result.

    Quiet confidence is a valuable attribute. I doubt that Japan’s media
    was guaranteeing a Japanese win after the semis.

    PK’s vs Golden Goals? Soccer is a low scoring game of attrition that
    doesn’t seem to lend itself to an elegant tie game solution. Maybe
    in finals like this they should play more games until someone wins on aggregate,
    a game every other day, I’d enjoy that : )

  317. 317.

    Comrade Luke

    July 17, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    @MikeB:

    I think Rapinoe and Solo are blowhards, but the rest of the team seems very humble, certainly more than any other US team that is a favorite in their sport.

    And I tend to give Solo a pass because she’s a keeper. They’re a different breed.

  318. 318.

    Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)

    July 17, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    games like this is why God invented booze.

  319. 319.

    JCT

    July 17, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    Sigh.

    Thanks for keeping me up guys- I wasn’t the only one tapping on my iPhone when the wheels touched down.

    Connection delay so I’m watching the coverage with a huge beer.

    At least it was Japan, they needed this.

  320. 320.

    Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)

    July 17, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    espn d-bag asked Hope Solo, “I can see the emotion in our eyes (decoded: you look like ya gonna cry), how do you feel”, and then the camera zoomed in for a close-p.

    To her credit, she didn’t fall apart.

  321. 321.

    4jkb4ia

    July 17, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    The USA came out on the wrong end of a great story. The principal reason to want them to win was Abby Wambach, who has accomplished everything else.

  322. 322.

    Paula

    July 17, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    I’m sad, but it was clearly a tremendous match for both sides. The USWNT improved on almost everything people were telling them to improve. Japan had to be perfect and they were. Solo was hurt, which cost the team psychologically but can’t really be blamed on anyone.

    I am proud of this team. And delighted by all the athletes who’ve basically shown up the Men’s World Cup in every possible way.

    The only the thing I hate right now is that f*&*^%%$%$@#g crossbar.

  323. 323.

    PanAmerican

    July 18, 2011 at 11:22 am

    The Japanese certainly could have won it in 90 minutes if not for a lousy offside call. But then we would have missed Sawa’s goal. Check out the reverse angel replay – it was a backheel that glanced off Abby. One of the most amazing shots in World Cup history – men or women.

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Comments

  • RevRick on Campaigns, cash and poorly attached voters (Apr 15, 2024 @ 11:00pm)
  • HumboldtBlue on Monday Evening Open Thread: Another ‘Rich’ Narcissist, Having A Bad Start to His Week (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:59pm)
  • Quinerly on Monday Evening Open Thread: Another ‘Rich’ Narcissist, Having A Bad Start to His Week (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:57pm)
  • Brachiator on Monday Evening Open Thread: Another ‘Rich’ Narcissist, Having A Bad Start to His Week (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:57pm)
  • Ruckus on Monday Evening Open Thread: Another ‘Rich’ Narcissist, Having A Bad Start to His Week (Apr 15, 2024 @ 10:54pm)

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Balloon Juice Meetups!

All Meetups
Talk of Meetups – Meetup Planning
Proposed BJ meetups list from frosty

Fundraising 2023-24

Wis*Dems Supreme Court + SD-8
Virginia House Races
Four Directions – Montana
Worker Power AZ
Four Directions – Arizona
Four Directions – Nevada

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
Positive Climate News
War in Ukraine
Cole’s “Stories from the Road”
Classified Documents Primer

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Fix Nyms with Apostrophes

Balloon Juice for Ukraine

Donate

Twitter / Spoutible

Balloon Juice (Spoutible)
WaterGirl (Spoutible)
TaMara (Spoutible)
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
ActualCitizensUnited

Political Action 2024

Postcard Writing Information

Balloon Juice for Four Directions AZ

Donate

Balloon Juice for Four Directions NV

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!