August 11, 2012
Soccer America: Wambach - 'We have come full circle'
It took a lot of heart, skill, and luck, but the USWNT was able to three-peat at the Olympics this week with a 2-1 win over Japan in the gold medal match on Thursday.
Carli Lloyd scored the game winning goal in the gold medal game for the second straight games as she scored both US goals. The first was a diving header that almost saw Abby Wambach kick Lloyd in the face as the cross from Alex Morgan was coming to Wambach before Lloyd dove to score the goal.
Lloyd's second goal was an amazing run and strike from distance that was as beautiful a play as you will ever see.
At the other end of the field, the US defense got some timely saves by Hope Solo, some scrambly clearances from the defenders, including captain Christine Rampone, and they did enough to secure the win.
But, the victory wasn't without controversy. Canada is still upset by "The Call" that led to Abby Wmbach's game-tying PK. Japan should have been awarded a first half penalty kick as Tobin Heath handled the ball in the box blocking a Japan free kick.
But, some might say it was pay back for a call or two that went against the US in last year's World Cup.
A new Women's Pro League is coming together
Equalizer soccer talks to the new owner in Seattle
The Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, and Sky Blue FC are among the teams that will be a part of a new professional women's soccer league that is committed to starting up in 2013.
Also joining the three former WPS clubs is a newly formed club in Seattle.
It will be interesting to see if this becomes the fourth league in four years for the WNY Flash.
Nutmeg Radio talks about some of the hard questions that need to be answered if this league is to finally be the one that puts the USWNT players, and all professional female soccer players, on the stage they deserve.
News & Notes:
- The Rhinos host Charleston tonight in a battle for second place. The Rhinos will be without three key players who will miss the game due to suspension.
- Grant Wahl has a great article in SI about Megan Rapinoe and why she's playing looser lately.
- Sporting KC defeated Seattle on PKs to win the USOC.
- Christine Sinclair and Canada were able to win Bronze over France thanks to a stoppage time goal.
- Mexico has named their squad for next week's friendly against the USMNT. Jurgen Klinsmann is expected to name the US roster tomorrow. But, Stoke City has already leaked the news that Geofff Cameron is on the roster.
- Alejandro Bedoya is putting the Rangers mess behind him and moving on to Sweden.
- In an amazingly entertaining interview, Fox Soccer's Eric Wynalda sits down with interim Atlanta Silverbacks head coach Eric Wynalda.
- It looks like the NASL will be adding a team in Northern Virginia.
- The NY Red Bulls added GK Luis Robles through the allocation process.
- Portland and Montreal swapped #1 goalkeepers.
- Columbus Crew MF Kirk Urso and Rochester soccer supporter Shane Badger both passed away this week. Our thoughts go out to their families.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to jamesrweise@gmail.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
