On paper, you could say the Americans lost in the roll of the dice that is penalty kicks – but that’s not really true. The women’s squad is now 4-0 in Group B play heading into its final prelim game against China (Sunday, Aug. 14, 11:15 a.m. ET). Exactly what they wanted and exactly what their gameplan was. And here’s hoping the 20-year-old Manuel is just getting started. Crosses from the flanks. And at the end of the day we won the game and that’s what all counts.
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Friday’s (12 August) match in Brasilia at Mané Garrincha Stadium reunited the US with former coach Sundhage, who led the Americans to gold at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
US GOALKEEPER Hope Solo has launched an extraordinary attack on Sweden, labelling them “cowards” after their stunning upset of the Americans on penalties in the quarterfinals.
That’s exactly what’s going on today in the Olympic Games focus. Canada and France square off late Friday afternoon.
US coach Jill Ellis tried to diffuse the row. Now they’re sitting in the locker room, completely stunned.
When you play a team that bunkers, it is important to score first (or things get even worse) and as early as possible.
“I thought that we played a courageous game”, she told reporters. “We knew we’d have a lot of the ball”.
Sweden gave itself a shot with its fight and determination and by Sundhage’s smarts, crowding the midfield and allowing the USA scarce room to breathe or flow. But for once they didn’t go the whole way through.
Sweden scored against the run of play after 61 minutes when Stina Blackstenius ran on to a defence-splitting pass and calmly slotted the ball past us keeper Hope Solo. They didn’t want to pass the ball. Maybe Crystal Dunn could have come on sooner.
The two teams finished normal time tied at 1-1, denying Hope Solo her 107th worldwide career clean sheet. Fitness and form were areas of concern. US substitute Christen Press shot over the crossbar, seemingly unable to bear the burden of such pressure.
In the 99th minute, Megan Rapinoe was subbed off for Christen Press. And a big scare for the USA men’s basketball team.
Sweden defended in numbers, clogged channels and won aerial challenges. “I think it was very cowardly”, – Solo went out swinging on Friday.
Then the referees took over, disallowing goals from USA’s Carli Lloyd and Sweden’s Lotta Schelin in the final five minutes of extra time. But she was not the only U.S player who missed. And the USWNT would’ve been surely helped by have an extra pair of fresh legs on the field.
With Julie Johnston back in the lineup after missing the last two games, the back line looked strong. There was a pretty clear precedent for the USWNT under-performing yet finding ways to win. But what Ellis and the team discovered last summer – either on their own or through yellow cards, a point many people will debate – was that changes in tactics were necessary. They didn’t want to open the game and they tried to counter with long balls. We defend very well. “I think in the 1991 Women’s World Cup, since that year, the United States have never been out of the medals in any competition”.
The Swedes jumped for joy, while the USA players walked off heartbroken and in disbelief.
She said she only pushed Simone into swimming because, with all the pools in Houston, she was afraid her children would drown.
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Manuel charged directly into the issue, saying: “This medal is not just for me, it’s for some of the African Americans who have come before me and had been an inspiration”.
