After the devastation in Japan, it is somewhat surprising that this team has reached this stage and have done as well as they have.  Maybe we shouldn’t be surprise though, they have use this devastation as a rallying point; in fact this team is incredible to watch and we will see if they can continue their good play as of late.

Today, they play Sweden for a chance to face the U.S team, who dispatched the ineffective French team earlier this afternoon.  The match is on the verge of starting in what should be a great game…you wouldn’t think the Japanese team would match up well against the bigger Swedish players-but speed is on their side and they can play freely as they did last weekend playing against the expected winners; the Germans.  They should not have won that game and if they make it, they probably shouldn’t beat the U.S either; but that is why they play the games.

The pressure is on and they will have to play a great defensive game against an attacking team like the Swedes.  Watching the smaller Japanese players is quite interesting, their game is possession oriented and crisp precision passing reminiscent of the men’s Brazilian team.

10 minutes in: Sweden strikes due to a breakdown near the box from the Japanese defender, the Swedish player intercepted the wayward pass and her speed carried her close enough to unleash on the goalkeeper with an excellent left footed shot on goal; the goalkeeper had little to no chance and the Swedes have taken the early lead, now the game officially begins.

This is turning into an incredible game…A great goal by Japan in the 18^th minute… although, it may have been an own goal;  A long run by the Japan’s midfielder who seemed to be alone roaming, until the ball was centered into the box where the crowdedness and confusion took care of the rest.  Own goal or not, this opportunity was all manufactured by the small Japanese player, their speed and perseverance.

Half way through the first half, the great play continues with an incredibly wide open game on both sides with good ball control.  Myama has had several opportunities up until this point and Japan plays keep away in the midfield but their lack of pure scoring has limited their overall effectiveness.  On the other side of things, the Swedish team has somewhat disappeared after their accidental goal.

We go to half time with the Japanese team seemingly in control and we should look to see the same thing in the second half of this match if the Swedes don’t make adjustments.

Play starts again with the Swedes looking to start the action, actually gaining momentum throughout this half.  In an incredible sequence in the 59^th minute, Japan strikes with a beautiful header by Sawa into the empty net left vacant by the Swedish goalkeeper who gambled at the worst possible moment.  The goal was made possible with contributions with several players who seem to be getting better throughout the tournament.  This is Sawa’s 79^th goal after starting her career at 15 years old.

Minutes later in the 64^th minute, Japan strikes again with an improbable goal with another situation in which the net was unguarded when the eager goalkeeper decided to charge once again; the results would suggest she should remain in goal but her instincts would suggest otherwise.

Great goal and might be goal of the tournament up to this point.  Now up 3-1, there can be no major breakdowns like we saw in the beginning of the match, if they are to hold on to this lead.  The Swedish team seems to have no clue on what to do defensively or offensively against this tactical brilliance by the brave Japanese team.  The U.S should take notice and start preparing for this skillful onslaught.

Kawasumi comes off the field followed by Ono, two players who left their mark on this game; the focus is defense at this point, but the offensive pressure remains and the attack remains relentless.

The match is over and anyone who witnessed this game saw two teams who played at different levels after the first 10 to 15 minutes.  Looking forward to the finals, Japan should have a shot at beating the American team; they are on an emotional journey that would inspire a whole nation.  America looks to continue its dominance against this team which they have beaten 22 out of 23 matches…but maybe were in line for another miracle.

I know I’ll be watching and so will everyone in Japan.

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American soccer fans should remember these great moments of dominance and perceived divine right.  In fact, enjoy and relish in Sundays game and marvel at what was done because it won’t last forever; it is not sustainable for many reasons.

Hearing people talk (myself included) after this past Sunday, after the game against Brazil, you would think that God lives and routs for American sports teams and its athletes alone…of course there are many things wrong with that idea but that is the mentality.  Added with the idea that we are better because of some divine right- then again we shouldn’t be surprise; that is ingrained in American culture.

It works to the benefit of America of course in these great moments where you think they have no hope and our teams manage to pull out improbable victories, it is because American athletes (the good ones) believe in the idea of some kind of close relationship with god and also the arrogance that goes along with believing this.  I’m not saying they believe they can fly or walk on water, they just believe that god is somehow on their side and there is no way they can lose; a great mentality in sports but dangerous off the field of play.

All I’m hearing is this idea in sports and maybe that is something built in every athlete around the world but I think it speak s to American Arrogance in sports all together. It’s funny but when the U.S is bad at a sport, we simply say the sport sucks or ridicule those who are considered great… especially the media.

Sticking to on the field though, I want to make it clear of course; no mentality no matter what the belief, means anything without the skill and financial backing to become good at what you do.

For example, the American women’s team is great and they will be good for a while but we must look into why that is and let’s leave divinity aside for now.  Let’s take a team like Brazil and how good they have become with little to no support back home.  America spends so much money on developing its athletes and it’s a year round thing.  We also reward these athletes with equipment, fields and money but a place like Brazil has only recently come to accept the idea of women playing the same sports that men play and the fact that they can play it very well.

We’ve come to expect great things in all our athletes but not all countries we compete with make these kind of investments; why do you think a great player like Marta comes to play in the U.S during the season…the financial backing and development is there in women’s sports in the US in a way that is not present in other countries.

So the bottom line is, at this point in the development of Women’s sports, we should be far ahead of every other country given how much money we spend and invest in these sports.  The dominance we see or the improbable comebacks and the great wins won’t be there in 10 to 15 years because the rest of the world will have caught up.

The same way other countries have caught up with us in basketball is the same thing we will see in Women’s soccer.  That arrogance will have to turn to respect in order to stay on top; the same way American basketball players have learned to respect their European counterparts.

Like everyone one else, I was in awe at the performance from the Women’s team against Brazil. But after hearing people talk, I caught myself saying things like, there’s something about American athletes; that is the wrong way to look at this victory.  We should look at this victory in the realm of the idea of what sports are.  There can only be one winner and the American team wanted it more than Brazil did and they had the talent to get it done; that’s it, nothing more nothing less.

Sports are about making history as did the Japanese team the day before on Saturday or any other team that has done great things in sports around the world.  The Brazilian men’s team has won many tournaments because they have the talent and support that the women’s team lack at this point, the American men’s team doesn’t win for the same reasons; sports are simple,  so let’s examine sports the right way and leave out the unnecessary.

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What if all the pressure was on? What if everything rested on your shoulders? Would you falter?  What if you were in an epic battle for World supremacy? If your country, your home was counting on you to succeed; could you handle that? All by yourself…or should I say; SOLO?

Sorry to disappoint Star Wars fans, but this isn’t the Solo you were expecting. We’re talking about Hope Solo; the starting goal keeper for the women’s US National team.  In USA’s match against Brazil, Solo made a spectacular penalty kick save to give the United States the edge in their comeback thriller making her an instant American hero. As great as that save was, it was merely an exclamation point on the play Solo has displayed through this World Cup. Her leadership skills and spectacular skill set has made her the undisputed top women’s goalie in the world today; so where has she been our whole lives?

Hope Amelia Solo grew up in Richland, Washington.  She grew up in a rough child hood setting where the game of soccer was her only constant. When she was six years old, her parents divorced and she lived solely with her mother. Her father was a Vietnam veteran who was homeless for most of his life but stayed a major influence in Hopes life until his sudden death in 2007. Hope became a soccer star while she was in high school but oddly enough not as a goalie. Solo was a forward for Richland High School scoring 109 career goals and becoming a two time All-American.  Solo received a full scholarship to University of Washington where they decided her athletic, and quick reaction abilities would make her a stand out keeper. They were right.

Solo became the Huskies all time leader in saves and shutouts and was a four-time All Pac-10 selection and a three-time All American. While in her sophomore year of college, Solo became a full time member of the USA national team. After her college career, and being an alternate for the 2004 Olympic team, Solo was drafted to the former WUSA team, the Philadelphia Charge. Following the Charges fallout from the league, Solo went and played with a few clubs overseas in Germany and Sweden while working her way up the American depth chart.

In 2007, Solo’s career looked to take off as she was named to the women’s World Cup squad. She was named the starter over veteran Brianna Scurry and gave up only two goals in four games while posting two consecutive shut outs leading up to a semi final match against Brazil.  Then US coach, Greg Ryan, made a shocking move and benched Solo for Brianna Scurry. Scurry went on to have a dismal performance and the US lost 4-0 to Brazil.

Solo, clearly outraged, publicly criticized Ryan’s coaching move saying “It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There’s no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves.” Solo was then dismissed from the team before the third place World Cup game and did not participate in the post World Cup tour.

Hope Solo did not let the 2007 World Cup affect her play and kept training harder than ever. In 2009 Solo joined the Women’s Professional soccer league with St. Louis Athletica and became the WPS goalie of the year. She then went on to play for the Atlanta Beat and currently starts for the Orlando MagicJack and is easily the best keeper in the league. The WPS is where Solo competes and improves her skills, but Solo shines when she steps on the field for the red, white, and blue.

Watching Solo on Sunday vs. Brazil was inspiring to say the least. She is not simply a goalie but she is a leader. She steps out onto the field and commands the respect from the other team, while also imposing fear in their eyes. Solo’s outspoken attitude was seen as arrogance in 2007 and is now seen as, for lack of better terms, “swag” in 2011. Solo has became an American hero, sex symbol, and inspiration after one game and one save vs. Brazil, however Solo has been someone to look up to her whole life.

What if you were in a battle for world supremacy? What if you had your countries fate on your shoulders? Would you falter? Well, we know Solo wouldn’t, and now she looks to continue her fight for World supremacy as she takes on France in the semi final match on Wednesday. I wouldn’t expect her to be benched this time. Good luck Hope; America is behind you.

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Watching Japan face Germany yesterday showed me once again why soccer or Football as it is called around the world is such a great sport.  No, it was not the greatest soccer match I’ve seen nor was it the most anticipated, it didn’t include the biggest names of the sport; what we got to see was the same thing we see on the men’s side.  There is such skill involved in the sport, that the seamless transition from  watching the men play to watching the women is remarkable…you’re either good or you’re not , and the women are good.

There was such excitement and the underdog won-the underdog being the Japanese team 1-0 playing with heavy hearts against a stacked home team in Germany.

The most anticipated match of the knockout round or quarter finals is between Brazil and USA, two teams who are very familiar with one another.  Brazil beat the U.S team 4 years ago but has not had much success against the U.S with an overall record of 4-22.  Brazil shows up of course confident in what they do and the loose style in which they play…in fact they got off their bus singing  and playing Brazilian instruments that sort off resemble dancing on the field.  Indeed, a match worthy of a final.

For the U.S, Heather O’reilly is back after not being available and for Hope Solo this is a chance to let her play speak for her after the debacle 4 years ago in which she felt she belonged on the field.

At 11:30, the match was officially on the way and it didn’t take long for someone to strike…Yes an own goal, but a minute into the match the U.S goes up 1-0 in an unexpected eventful beginning.  The Brazilian defenders look very jittery early on and it cost them, the frustration starts early for the Brazil side but it has been an unorganized game for both sides during the first half of the match.  No one has been able to hold on to the ball and Marta continues to show frustration which eventually led to a yellow card for mouthing off.  The first half was played poorly by the Brazilians who didn’t get many shots on goal and their opponent didn’t seem to want to capitalize on the poor play.

The defense was good on the American side considering the talent level of the opponent but how long they will keep a zero on the Brazilian score sheet.

The second half starts and we see the play pick up and the Brazilians have made an effort to apply pressure which has led to many more opportunities already within the first few minutes of the half.

After the 60^th minute, things took a turn from bad to worse for the Americans…After a beautiful move by Marta reminiscent of Ronaldinho, another famous Brazilian player in which she was being guarded by two back defenders in the box; she was awarded a penalty kick.  A controversial red card was given to Rachel Buehler which left the American side with 10 players against a resurgent Brazil team.

The penalty kick taken was blocked but in another controversial twist, the referees determined that the kick would be taken again because a player encroached prior to the kick being taken.  Marta now was given the opportunity to finish the play she started, which she did with nice placement of the ball at the bottom right corner tying the game in the 68^th minute.

The U.S played very well given their lack of a full squad on the field but playing with 10 players in this humidity will be challenging.

A touch of brilliance again from the Brazilians which resulted in a goal from Marta in the 93rd minute, putting them up 2-1 early in over time…She being the best player in the world, placed the ball where Solo could not reach it.

With 2 minutes left in extended time, Abby Wambach saves the U.S for the time being and ties the game in the 120^th minute with a tremendous header.  After being quiet for the first 119 minutes, the lone striker came alive tying the game…and play continues.

So now we watch penalty kicks, the second in as many games in this tournament in what has turned out to be a great and exciting game.

This is by far the tensest situation in sports aside from bottom of the ninth, man on second with 2 outs in the World Series in Yankee stadium…yes it’s that tense.  But after the Brazilians missed their 3^rd penalty kick, it started to look bleak.  Then Wambach came and calmly placed the ball in the back of the net, it was pretty much over.

After playing 55 plus minutes with 10 men, now they must face France in a game that will have a hard time living up to this epic and classic game.

You just couldn’t write this any better for the U.S…we will see if there is a story book ending, after this game in the words of Wamback “we must win.”

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Who can forget the goal heard around the world that introduced us to the most famous sports bra ever? Brandi Chastain became an instant celebrity and so did her bra when she ripped off her jersey in dramatic fashion after clinching the World cup title in 1999. Chastain’s stripping goal act did not only win the United States the World Cup, but she brought attention to Women’s sports; an improbable task. 40 million Americans tuned in to watch Chastain and the US girls step into world soccer immortality that day; more viewers than the NBA finals. That was twelve years and three world cups ago. Today, the United States is the world’s number one team and has a good shot at winning this year’s World Cup; who knew?

The sixth ever, Women’s World Cup kicked off last week in Germany on June 26^th. An astronomical 18 million viewers in Germany tuned in to watch their beloved German women take on Canada in the Cups opening game. With all the success in host country Germany; maybe there would be improved interest in the United States right? Wrong. The US viewership of the opening game came in at just under one million viewers; pathetic. Women’s soccer has been unable to catch the eyes of American viewers since 1999. Clearly, we need more sports bra cameos.

Where is the allure of the Women’s World Cup? Where’s the American pride? It doesn’t make sense that that 15^th and average at best, men’s squad receives nationwide support. Yet, the US women, the world’s number one team, are treated as if they’re irrelevant. Something’s not right here.

Maybe it’s the slower speed of play from the Men’s game. Or maybe it’s the myth that women soccer players are less aggressive and intense. Either way, the last two World Cups (2003 and 2007) have been rating nightmares causing ESPN to swallow some pride. In search of a change (miracle), ESPN hired popular former US stars, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brianna Scurry to commentate the cup. Every cup game will be aired on ESPN and broadcasted live on ESPN3.com. 2011 is supposed to be the year US women’s soccer relives its glory days of 1999; we’ll see about that.

Why you should watch:

• America.
  • It’s a world-wide phenomenon displaying if our country is better than theirs. If you’re a true American you’ll throw on the red, white and blue, eat some wings, and watch some soccer babes win one for the US of A. Go America

• The United States is the world’s number one team.
  • Listen, we actually have a shot at winning this thing. We’re number one because we’re really good and we have come in at least third the last three world cups. We can do this.

• The girls
  • Guys, in what men’s sport can you commentate on who has the nicer butt? Well in the World Cup you can do that in every single game. Did I mention US goalie, Hope Solo, is single?

• Women’s soccer is on the rise
  • This world cup is going to be extremely competitive. Hosting the tournament is reining back to back World Cup champions, Germany. The US is looking promising to win it all, while England has its deepest squad ever. Don’t look past Brazil, who has the world’s best player in Marta.

• What else is on TV?
  • Nothing interest is going on in sports right now besides the World Cup. The NFL and NBA are in a lockout, baseball is in its boring mid-season stage, and tennis, well who really watches tennis?

Cyril Hou / Shutterstock.com

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