It's amazing how in a matter of about 10 minutes on Sunday afternoon, the American public, by and large, went from not caring at all about the Women's World Cup (or, in some cases, not even knowing it was going on) to completely galvanized by the event. Of course, the reason for the change was that simply amazing quarterfinal game against Brazil. The game was, in a word, incredible. And that was one of the most unbelievable finishes I've ever seen. But it's all for naught if they don't finish the deal.
First a recap of that amazing quarterfinal for the four of you who don't already know the key details. The U.S. took a 1-0 lead on an own goal in the second minute. Rachel Buehler received a red card midway through the second half and Brazil was awarded a penalty kick. Hope Solo made the save, but the officials said that some sort of violation was committed and ordered a re-kick, which Marta converted. It went to overtime and Marta scored a sensational goal that should've been waived off for an offsides that wasn't called. For the most part, I think the fact that overtime in international soccer isn't sudden death is really stupid, but I was obviously OK with it in this case. Late in overtime, the Brazilians resorted to cheap stall tactics. A defender named Erika faked an injury, then, as soon as the stretcher took her off the field, was magically healed. She ran right back on the field and was given a (deserved) yellow card. In a bit of poetic justice, Abby Wambach scored on a gorgeous header after a brilliant cross from Megan Rapinoe in the 30 seconds of stoppage time that was added while Erika rolled around on the field. The U.S. then won in a shootout.
In a matter of seconds, the Americans went from out of the World Cup to the prohibitive favorites. Not only that, they've become the tournament's darlings. Marta was getting booed unmercifully every time she touched the ball, and the chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" (from the mostly non-American crowd) in the stands were clearly audible on television. With Germany out, this is the side that's been adopted by the world. Especially after coming back in such a way to defeat two opponents (Brazil and the officials) on Sunday.
The last time the women's soccer team captured the nation's attention in such a way was in 1999, which, not coincidentally, was the last time they won the World Cup. If you remember, that World Cup was held in the U.S. and every game was sold out, including the thrilling final against China in front of 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl (which is still the largest crowd ever to attend a women's sporting event), capped by Brandi Chastain and her sports bra in one of the most memorable postgame celebrations ever. (By sheer coincidence, the Brazil game took place on the 12-year anniversary of that final against China.)
The members of that 1999 squad became household names: Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Briana Scurry, Michelle Akers and, of course, the greatest of them all, Mia Hamm. The nation got so consumed by the Women's World Cup that the entire team was named Sports Illustrated "Sportswomen of the Year." It was because of them that a professional women's soccer league in the U.S. was created. It was because of them that countless numbers of young girls in this country wanted to become soccer players, including some of the members of the 2011 squad.
The U.S. has won two Olympic gold medals since 1999, including one in 2004 in the last hurrah for the remaining key members of the '99 squad. But they lost in the semifinals of the World Cup in 2003 and again (in embarrassing fashion) in 2007, and neither one of those World Cups garnered any attention in the U.S. (even though the U.S. hosted again in 2003). For two weeks, the 2011 World Cup had been ignored just as much as the last two editions. Until Sunday.
But America's watching now, and Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly and Co. have a chance to become this generation's version of that transcendent '99 team. Solo and Alex Morgan certainly have the cross-over appeal of Hamm. Wambach played with Mia and Co. in 2003 and won a gold medal with them in 2004. She knows what it was like for them. They were the face of the sport, and embraced that role. That's why it comes as no surprise that Wambach's the vocal leader of this year's group. She wants to be remembered in the same way.
After that Brazil game, it certainly seems like this is a team of destiny. That's why they have to beat France, then the Sweden-Japan winner. If they don't, one of the greatest World Cup games ever (men or women) will be just a tournament footnote and all the buzz that the game created will disappear as quickly as it arrived. But if they do, they'll take their rightful place alongside that great 1999 squad.
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