[USA-FRANCE REPORT CARD] The USA was badly outplayed by France in midfield for much of their Women’s World Cup semifinal but several players came up with bigplays to move the USA into Sunday’s final against Japan. Soccer America’s Paul Kennedy grades the U.S. players … 6Hope Solo (magicJack) 100/- Said she wasn’t at the top […]
women’s world cup
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Wambach, subs trigger hard-fought win
[WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT] Late goals by Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan gavethe USA a 3-1 win over France that moved it into the Women’s World Cup final for the first time since 1999. Wambach’s force of will brought back memories of another U.S. star, Michelle Akers, and the play of Megan Rapinoe and Morgan […]
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Semifinal Backstories: U.S. prep games prove valuable
[WOMEN’S WORLD CUP] While watching the Women’s World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, here’s what I’ll be thinking about … Prep games did their job. Looking back, the decision to play a pair of friendlies against Japan and a final send-off game against Mexico in May has significantly helpedthe USA.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
France has already won
Whatever happens Wednesday when France meets the USA in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup, French women’s soccer is already a big winner. France’s quarterfinal win over Englanddrew a record television audience of 2.8 million viewers on Direct 8 and national network TF1 has confirmed it will broadcast Sunday’s final if the Bleues beat […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
German coach Neid under pressure to quit
Shortly before the Women’s World Cup began, Silvia Neid signed a contract to remain as German national team coach through 2016, but Germany’s shock loss toJapan in the quarterfinals has her rethinking her future. On Tuesday, Neid told Bild she “needs time out” from the game and that she must see whether she can motivate […]
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Megan Rapinoe sets up, scores, and sings Springsteen
[WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT] She’s started just one game in the World Cup, yet in her limited minutes midfielder Megan Rapinoe has proved tobe one of the most influential attackers on the U.S. team. Rapinoe set the bar pretty high for matter-of-factness when asked about being replaced by Lauren Cheney in thestarting lineup for the […]
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USA-Brazil draws 2.6 overnight rating
[TELEVISION WATCH] The USA-Brazil quarterfinal match at the Women’s World Cup drew a 2.6 overnight rating on ESPN, its highest rating for a women’s game sincethe 3.2 for the USA-Brazil semifinal match in 1999. The record for a women’s game is a 13.3 overnight rating for the 1999 Women’s World Cup final between the USA […]
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Five keys to rise of France's Bleues
[WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT] In only its second appearance at the Women’s World Cup, France has been the surprise of the tournament. Its 4-0 defeat of Canadawas one of the most convincing performances in group play, and it earned a deserving victory over England in a shootout in the quarterfinals after enjoying a huge edge […]
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Brazil's PK: Why the retake?
[REF WATCH] That Brazil got a second chance from the penalty spot forced the Americans to pull off a heroic comeback to reach the semifinals. Was the retake,after Hope Solo saved the first attempt, warranted? First, we look at the foul. After Marta tapped the ball past Rachel Buehler, theAmerican defender and Marta went down. […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Germany's dream kaputt
[WOMEN’S WORLD CUP] Germany’s players unfurled the banner reading, “One Team. One Dream. Millions of Fans. Thank You!” But the dream had become anightmare. The players, with tears in their eyes, had lost to Japan in the quarterfinals and would soon be greeted with headlines such as “A disaster for women’s soccer.” Aiming for a […]