Epic, Classic, Historic.
Astounded, Relieved, Thrilled.
Frustration, Exhaustion, Elation.
Callback, Comeback, Payback.
Last night's US victory over Brazil was a 657 page Grisham novel with multiple, twisting plot lines. I will leave the details to other 'journalists' with more time and more resources, but here is my condensed version-
Sure, it would save time to fast forward to Extra Time, but that would be the equivalent of skimming the New Testament without the historical context of the Old. In the first sentence of Chapter One, Brazil succumbed to the pressure with a most unfortunate miscue by Daiane (it's really spelled that way), an Own Goal that put the our Ladies up 1-0 in the 2nd minute! really? Is it going to be that easy? well, NO. Chapters 2 through 13 revealed villains, betrayal, confusion and foul play.
Not long after halftime, Marta makes one of those moves that only #10 can do, touching the ball over herself and a couple defenders to create space in the box. Replays showed that Rachel Buehler and Marta were even, shoulder to shoulder, each slightly tugging on the other's jersey, each fighting for that extra edge. Both went down. The tentative ref seemed to take about 10 seconds as she thought about it. Red Card for Buehler, Penalty Kick for Brazil. What? Seriously? So, here comes the PK. Hope Solo gets her application to Super Hero School approved with a brilliant save! Pandemonium on the field, in our production trailer and in soccer houses around the US. We were going nuts!
Scraaaaaatch! (phonograph Sound FX) The ref saw that defender Christie Rampone had one foot inside the box when the kick was taken = Do Over. Marta stepped up and hit it home. Tied 1-1.
As the game continued, the crowd became anti-Brazil and Anti-Marta, whistling with disrespect each time she touched the ball. Both teams had shots bounce off the crossbar. 90 minutes down, Extra Time is next. Before the sound of the whistle to start play had faded, Marta displayed another level of her game changing skill with a shot that no other women's player could ever dream of doing. With all direct angles covered, she applied her deft touch to loop the ball lightly over Solo to the far post and into the net. Simply, brilliant. That is what sets her apart, that is why she has been the World Footballer of the Year 5 consecutive times. Brazil, then slowed the pace, held the ball and delayed the game whenever possible. The next chapter starts to look predicable. But, there are a few chapters left, turn the page.
Much like that Donovan goal against Algeria last year for Team USA, another sublime run was about to take place. After just over 120 minutes of play, with only US 10 players on the pitch, the US worked the ball out of the defensive corner, across the field to Megan Rapinoe, who managed enough strength to launch one, last long distance, left footed cross. Hours passed as the ball floated serenely through the air. Abby Wambach knew where it would go, knew how to position herself, knew the keeper was approaching, knew the defender was tired. Life was in slow-motion. In the next moment, like a Bruckheimer film, time and space caught up to regular speed. Abby did what Abby does, heading the ball into the back of the net to tie the game!!
WOWFREAKINWOW!! (I'm not going to say OMG here.)
This could be better than the Donovan Moment. Now, THIS is pandemonium.
I have never heard intercom as loud. I'm about to pee my pants!
hold on! take a deep breath.
Now we move on to Penalty Kicks...anyone remember World Cup '99?
Boxx takes the first shot- SAVED. not a good way to start.. doh! hold up a sec. The keeper moved off the line way before the shot was taken. Do Over. This one goes in. Whew! All 5 US ladies would score. Like Briana Scurry in '99, Solo rose to the occasion to stop the shot by Daiane! (bad day for Daiaiaiane)
Hope, THAT was huge. Thank you. Super Hero Status approved.
Ali Krieger secured the game with her textbook shot to the lower, left corner. The revelry began. A hard earned celebration showed a team in pure joy, Buehler crying in relief and coach Pia Sundhage pulling off some Chuck Berry air guitar moves.
For more on this breaking news, we now go live to our affiliates:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/07/10/uswnt.brazil/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/10/brazil-usa-live-womens-world-cup
Earlier in the day (that felt like a week) Sweden featured fancy footwork to thwart the Aussie Socceroos 3-1. They advance to the Semifinals for the 3rd time. This brings pure ecstasy to the Erikson household. Postgame, Sweden dances the Hokey Pokey...which they clearly copied from our Crew in Munich '06, doing the Vonage Dance. TK, Satlin, Bucky? you dancin?
hey look! catering has Bratwurst and, yet, ANOTHER type of potato. how original.
Congrats to the new brand new country of South Sudan. We hope to see you in a World Cup soon.
ALERT! IPTWN Stat-o-Day has been Hijacked.
here now, in the worldwide debut, is the the
Medfield, Massachusetts Daily Dose of Tantalizing Trivia.
That first USA goal has been officially timed at 74 seconds, making it the second-fastest ever scored by the States.
Today's
MedMassDayDoseTantTriv is brought to you by Sand. Mason Allan digs it!
In one of the most dramatic games in World Cup history, Japan flipped the US story on end to win in it's first ever WWC Title. An early 2nd half strike by sub Alex Morgan, put the US up 1-0. With 10 minutes left in regulation, a Commerzebank Arena crowd of 48,817 witnessed a US defensive blunder that tied the game. In Extra Time, It appeared that Abby Wambach had become immortal with another header goal to bring the US to the brink of championship, her 4th goal in 4 games. But, that was all a bit premature. Japan countered with the power of Godzilla. Off a corner kick, Homare Sawa struck a glancing shot that actually deflected off Abby's arm on it's way past goalkeeper hope Solo. In PKs, the US folded. Japan pounced, not like Tigger, more like a crouching tiger. 
