Beautiful Game

There are moments in sports you never forget. The Gibson homerun. The Jeter "flip play." The 1980 "Miracle on Ice". These moments hold a special place in our minds because of how they seemed to transcend time and space. Why was Jeter running across the first base line? How did a bunch of college kids beat the all star professional Soviet squad? How did the crippled Gibson defy everything and hit his majestic homerun? The answer is simply I dont know. Its impossible that it happened in the first place and yet, it unfolding right before our eyes. As these moments happen we know its special because we are never going to see anything like it again... until today

A year ago last summer the US Mens Soccer Team was on the brink of death. In a heated match against Algeria, the game leaked into extra time and the end seemed inevitable. Nothing was working, attacks were breaking down, and the Algerians seemed to have the Americans number. In the 91st minute, as time was nearly expired, Landon Donovan delivered the go ahead goal with a rocket to the top of the net, ultimately leading to a 1-0 win for the US and advancing them to the quarterfinals. The second the ball struck the back of the net, I knew this was one of those moments. It was a goal that not only made a statement for our team, but gave a sense of pride throughout the country. For the next few days after the win, all people could talk about was the Donovan goal and US Soccer. US Soccer!!! The red headed step child of American sports.  

Now, as Yogi would say, "it was deja vu all over again."

The US Womans Soccer Team has been a force in womans soccer for the past two decades. Despite what most might think, what they have done is remarkable. Since the Womans World Cup began in 1991, the US has claimed two titles (1991 and 1999) and placed third three times (1995, 2003, and 2007). Not only that but they have never lost back to back games or even two games in any one World Cup. In fact there only group play loss ever in a World Cup came just a few days ago with a stunner against Sweden... which ultimately led to todays madness.

USA v Brazil. Two world superpowers fighting for a semifinal bid to play France next week. Going in, everyone assumed it would be a headed contest, but no one expected what transpired this afternoon. This game had everything. Own goals, ejections, penalty kicks, equalizers, overtime... and more penalty kicks. Fast forward to extra time. The US goes down 2-1 quick on a uncalled offsides goal by Marta. It looked over, well, it was over. As the first half of extra time passed, Brazil really started milking the clock and just like Algeria last year, nothing was working. The US couldn't get into a rhythm, every attack was squandered, and on a few occasions Brazil looked like it was going to snag a 2 goal lead if not for a number of acrobatic saves by US goalkeeper Hope Solo. 

And then it happened...

With 122' on the clock, in extra time of overtime, Megan Rapinoe streaked down the left wing with a beautiful touch, beat her defender, and as the cross she made flew threw the air into the Brazil box, it seemed like everything stopped just for a second. I got the same feeling I had when Shane Spencer's relay throw sailed over Tino Martinez's head in Oakland. Just like Jeter was unexplainably in the right place at the right time and made his mark in history, so did Abby Wambach. Rapinoe's cross snaked over the Brazil defense and standing there waiting to make her move on the back post was Wambach. The ball and her head connected, her shoulders square to the net, and her body elevated clear off the ground a full head over the onlooking Brazil defense. The ball smacked the back of the net and the impossible happened. With no time on the clock, against the best team in the world with the five time reigning "Best Player in the World" in Marta, the United States shocked everyone with an equalizer that sent shock-waves around the world. 

The US ultimately went on to beat Brazil 5-3 in penalty kicks, capping off one of the greatest victories US Soccer has ever seen. What the US woman had on their side this afternoon was more then magic, it was a miracle. The picture perfect Rapinoe/Wambach goal sent chills up the countries spin like Landon Donovan did last summer. Maybe this was the moment that will get the people of this country finally excited about soccer. Needless to say, todays impossible comeback is one of those special moments. Its a moment we will never forget, and will never see again.

Well... maybe never see again...

~ The US will play France on Wednesday in the Quarterfinals 

~ "America is finally coming around to realize that soccer is a beautiful game"   - Hope Solo

~ Also, fun fact about the game, its 12 years to the day when the US woman won the 1999 World Cup against China in Penalty Kicks