This post is going to be short and sweet. The U.S. was the better team and played better for the majority of the game, but could not close the game out. If this was a men's sport, the overwhelming word would be "choke," but that term is being considered offensive by whoever has the gall to use that word in an opinion piece regarding Sunday's game.
The U.S. absolutely dominated the first half, but the Japanese defense and outstanding goalkeeper kept it a scoreless game. The U.S. finally broke through and an improbable play (compared to the rest of the scoring chances during the game). Everything was in cruise control for the U.S.; they had the lead, Japan had yet to go on an offensive attack, and the forwards and midfielders for the U.S. were keeping the ball in the offensive zone and dominating the "neutral" area. Then Japan went on the attack and the shoddy U.S. defense was exposed.
As Hope Solo has said since Sunday on various ESPN shows, by the final match, the U.S. had the best offense going and were playing to that strength. Sweden, Brazil, and Japan exposed the U.S. defense. In particular, Amy LePeilbet struggled mightily for the defense. In the Japan game, her blown assignments led to both of the goals and gave the Japanese many other opportunities. For as few opportunities Japan had because of the dominance of the U.S. midfielders and forwards, the defense should have been ready. Clearly, they were not.
It was a disappointing loss for fans of the U.S. team. The U.S. was the best team in the tournament and never should have lost twice and almost lost another time. We'll see what happens in two years at the London Olympics and in four years at the next World Cup. Until then, return to not caring about women's soccer.
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