The US Women's National Soccer Team spent about 95 minutes trying to block every single attempt of Cristiane and Marta to get close to their goal and they did it with solid defense by Christie Rampone, Heather Mitts, Kate Markgraf and Lori Chalupny and great saves by Hope Solo.

The biggest merit of the USA Women's Team was to stick to their plan. Pia Sundhage knows that she has on her hands a team without superstars. No more Mia Hamm, no more Julie Foudy, no more Michelle Akers, but a lot of team work doing a lot of hard work.

Being Brazilian my heart was obviously hoping for Marta or Cristiane to score the goals that would lead my country to the Gold but it didn't happen. Brazil played well but one could clearly see the lack of a well-structured program that could provide those athletes with better conditioning and more than that a much better emotional balance.

The USA Team had the necessary patience and fitness to wait until Brazil made a mistake and right before Carli Lloyd prepared that shot from the left top side of the box I knew what the outcome of that match would be. GREAT GOAL!!! INCREDIBLE VICTORY!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE USA WNT!!!

I'm sure Leslie Osborne, Cat Whitehill and Abby Wambach can't wait to hug and thank every single one of their team mates when they return here to the U.S.

The US Women played Japan in the semifinals, defeating them 4-2. Japan was the first to score in the 15th minute. They took a corner kick that bounced around in the area, and eventually was put into the net by Shinobu Ohno.

Then late in the first half, Hope Solo helped set up the equalizer. Her long goal kick bounced to O'Reilly on the right. She got around her defender and slipped the ball into the area, past Rodriguez, and Tarpley, until Hucles finally got her foot on it.

Right before halftime, Kate Markgraf played a long pass to Lloyd. She found Rodriguez, who  played the ball to Chalupny in the left corner. She got into the box past a defender and shot a rocket into the roof of the net.

In the 70th minute, O'Reilly received a throw-in form Mitts on the right. She noticed the 'keeper off her line and shot a dipping ball from the right flank.

In the 80th minute, Hucles scored her second goal of the game and fourth of the tournament. O'Reilly played a short corner kick to her on the right. She dribbled the ball into the area and shot the ball from the end line. The ball took a weird spin and ended up in the goal.

Japan wasn't giving up as they scored in stoppage time.  A cross from the left was shot by Nagasato into the near post, and Eriko Arakawa got the rebound from 3 yards out.

The US advanced to the Gold Medal match to play against Brazil, while Japan faced Germany in the Bronze Medal match, which Germany won 2-0.

This final was a rematch of the 2004 Athens Olympics. The US defeated Brazil 2-1 in overtime with the game-winning goal from Abby Wambach. This time Abby wasn't around to score the goals for the US, and they still came out on top. This game also went into over time. This game was back and forth for 90 minutes and the Brazilians had great scoring chances that just wouldn't go in, as well as the USA. Hope Solo came ip big for the US in the 72nd minute. Marta got around 2 defenders and  took a shot from inside the box, but Solo got her arm on it and knocked the ball away for the US to clear it out. This was probably the biggest save Solo has ever made in her career. Amy Rodriguez also had a pair of great chances, but they didn't get past Brazil's 'keeper. 

Finally in the 6th minute of extra time, Carli Lloyd scored the game winner. She received a pass from Cheney at the top of the box. Lloyd then passed it to Rodriguez who passed it back to her on an overlapping run. She took one touch and shot the ball from outside the box into the side netting.

The US played an outstanding defensive game against the highly-skilled Brazilians. They defended in pairs and did whatever they could to stop them from scoring.

The US now comes back to the States with their Gold medals after a very exciting journey through the Olympics, coming back from a loss in the first game of the tournament.

 A few weeks after they come back from China, the US will take on Ireland in a 3-game Tour with games in Philadelphia,New York, and Chicago.

What a crazy tournament it has been for the US Women, and even for all of Group G. While the USA got off to a bad start losing to Norway 1-0 in their first match, they have managed to come out on top of their group after Japan defeated Norway 5-1, putting Norway in 2nd place in the group. The US finished group play with 6 points as well as Noway, but the US had a better goal differential.

The US advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating New Zealand 4-0. Heather O'Reilly got the scoring started just 40 seconds into the game, making it the fastest goal in Women's Olympic History. New Zealand's keeper cleared the ball into the midfield and Carli Lloyd won the header. The ball bounced towards O'Reilly who noticed the keeper was off her line and took a shot form 23 yards out. The ball sailed into the right corner.

The next goal came late in the 2nd half. US defender Rachel Buehler played a long pass to Amy Rodriguez. Using her speed she got in behind the defense and took a left-footed strike that skipped past Jenny Bindon, (New Zealand's keeper) into the lower right corner.

The third goal was scored in the 57th minute. Rodriguez faced the keeper one-on-one in the area, but Bindon came off her line and reacted quickly to save the ball. The rebound bounced into the middle of the area where O'Reilly got a toe on it but the Kiwi defense deflected it. Lindsay Tarpley reacted quick to it and volleyed into the right corner for her 11th goal this year.

Angela Hucles closed the scoring just four minutes later. Lori Chalupny ran down the left flank and got around a defender and blasted a shot that hit the crossbar. The ball fell right to Hucles who was able to shoot the ball through Bindon's hands.

This win put the USA at the top of their group. They advanced to the quarterfinals along with Canada and Japan.

 

The US then played Canada in the quarterfinals. An early goal in the 12th minute gave the US the lead. The goal started off from a long pass from Christie Rampone to Hucles. The ball was played to O'Reilly, Tarpley, and Carli Lloyd, who switched the ball to Rodriguez on the right who crossed a perfect ball to O'Reilly. She headed the ball down to Canada's Erin McLeod who got her fingertips on the ball. Hucles was at the back post to put the ball into the the goal. 10 minutes after the goal, the game was stopped at the 21st minute and delayed for 1 hour and 39 minutes thanks to all the lightning, thunder, and rain. Both teams came back out and had 15 minutes to warm up. The match was started where it left off with a throw in by Canada.

The equalizer came in the 30th minute as the US failed to control a throw-in in their own third. Clare Rustad tackled the ball away from Lloyd, which went into Cristine Sinclair's path. She shot a rocket into the top right corner that just got past US keeper Hope Solo.

Canada went into a defending style of play, while the US played the possession style that head coach Pia Sundhage has been asking for. Their patience got them a lot of scoring chances, but none were finished off. The game went into extra time. Natasha Kai was subbed in for O'Reilly to play for 30 minutes. The US kept pressing and pressing the Canadian defense. In the 101st minute, Rodriguez played the ball back to Shannon Boxx who took a left-footed cross into area. Kai scored the game-winning goal on a diving header. It was the perfect ending for the US, and a heart-breaking one for the Canadians who were trying to go for a medal in their first-ever Olympic appearance.

This match marked the 200th cap for US captain, Christie Rampone. Forward Lauren Cheney made her Olympic debut in the 109th minute when she subbed in for Amy Rodriguez. In 11 minutes, she managed to take 2 dangerous shots, get a yellow card, and help the US keep possession. Shannon Boxx earned her 100th cap, becoming just the 22nd female player in US history to do so. This match also marked the final game for Canadian head coach Even Pellerud.

In the other quarterfinal action, Japan defeated host China 2-0, Germany defeated Sweden 2-0 with 2 goals in extra time, and Brazil defeated Norway 2-1. The US now looks to move on to the Gold Medal match and defend their gold medal when they face Japan next in the semifinals, while Germany faces Brazil.

The US match will be aired on Monday morning at 9 pm local time, 9 am ET on MSNBC. Brazil faces Germany at 6 pm local time, 6 am ET.

The US Women got off to a bad start in the Olympics as they were defeated by Norway on their first Olympic match. They made up for it by defeating Japan, and they are still in the running towards becoming Gold Medalists.

The first game was on August 6, at 7:45 pm at the Qinhuangdao Olympic Stadium. The USA was quickly put on their heels as Norway scored a goal in the 2nd minute. Norway's captain, Ane Stangeland Horpestad, crossed the ball into the area. Hope Solo came charging off her line to punch the ball away, but instead hit defender Lori Chalupny and collided. The ball hit Leni Larsen Kaurin on her shoulder and the ball bounced into the empty net.

Two minutes later, defender Kate Markgraf played a short back pass to Solo into the middle of the field, which was intercepted by Melissa Wiik. She dribbled into the penalty area and curved a shot to the far post around Solo.

The US came away with a disappointing loss, but they left it in the past, and started to focus on their next match.

On August 9, the US played Japan at 5:00 pm at the same venue. They played this game with less nerves, and looked more confident going into the game. They won this game 1-0 on a great shot by Carli Lloyd from outside the box. Lindsay Tarpley played a through ball to Stephanie Cox, who raced to the end line and crossed the ball to the top of the box. The ball bounced past a Norwegian defender and Lloyd launched a half volley that flew above Fukumoto and hit the back of the net.

The USA out-shot Japan 18-9. Forward Amy Rodriguez had 3 great chances of scoring but didn't finish them off. Heather O'Reilly played a great game, creating many chances, as well as Heather Mitts who almost scored twice, impressive for a right back defender. Hope Solo also had a great game. She made a great save half way through the first half when Homare Sawa shot the ball to the upper corner, and calmly tipped the ball over the cross bar.

 

The US now has 3 points and are in second place in Group G behind Norway, who has 6 points after defeating New Zealand 1-0. 

The next match for the US Women is against New Zealand at 7:45 PM local time in Shenyang. Coverage on this game will start at 4:30 am PT, 7:30 ET on MSNBC and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel.

First of all, I have to say that the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy was amazing. I had a great time there, and I have to say this: Julie Foudy is hilarious. She really is.

Now on to the Olympics. The soccer tournament for women is made up of 3 groups of 4 teams. The two best teams in each group along with the two best third-place teams will move on to the quarter finals, and from there it's the semi finals, and then the Bronze and Gold Medal Match.

Here are the groups:

Group E

• China
• Sweden
• Argentina
• Canada

Group F

• Korea DPR
• Nigeria
• Germany
• Brazil

Group G

• Norway
• USA
• Japan
• New Zealand

For a schedule of the tournament click here.

The USA will play Norway on August 6 at 5 AM PT, 8 AM ET, and coverage will start at 4:30 AM on MSNBC and Univversal HD, for those in the US. They will then play Japan on August 9 at 2 AM PT, 5 AM ET and will air on USA and USA HD. They play New Zealand last in their group on August 12 at 5 AM PT and will air on MSNBC.

Note: Lauren Cheney has replaced Abby Wambach for the Olympics.

If you are a big fan of the US WNT, then you will know who Julie Foudy is. But for those who don't know her, she played for the USA from 1987-2004, and was Captain of the team from 2000 to her retirement in 2004 after the Olympic Games. She also played for the WUSA team, the San Diego Spirit, and also captained that team. She is a two-time World Champion after winning first place in the 1991 and 1999 FIFA World Cups, and a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist after winning the Olympics in 1996 and 2004. She also won a Silver Medal at the 2000 Olympics.

She is now focused on her academy, the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy, which involves both of her passions, leadership and, of course, soccer. The aim of the JFSLA is to teach girls how to be a leader not only on the field, but off the field as well. The six-day camp includes some of the top players in the US, along with international players, and the top collegiate players and coaches. 

Julie Foudy also serves as an analyst for ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, and covered the 2006 Men's World Cup, the 2007 Women's World Cup, and covers MLS. This year she will serve as a reporter for NBC Sports coverage for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The reason I'm writing about Julie Foudy is because I will be attending her Sports Leadership Academy in St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA from July 27- August 2. I will be going with one of my teammates from Samba Soccer Club, after we both won a scholarship to attend the Academy. It will be a great experience, and it will be great to get the chance to interact and learn from some of the greatest soccer players in the world.

Mano Gil's point of view:

Since that incredible match in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007 a lot of expectations surrounds every game between USA and Brazil. Last night's match in San Diego was not different. I mean, the expectations were there but the intensity of the game was not.

One could say "C'mon Mano Gil, it was a friendly match!"

It's true but a friendly match with less than a month to the Football Tournament at the 2008 Olympics should be played with more attacking freedom then. And that simply didn't happen. The poor 1-0 score for the USA gave two main impressions: 1) This new generation of USA players have quality but they lack something that I'm still trying to figure out (I don't want to be unfair to the girls). 2) The team still suffers with high expectations to deliver the same results as the Michelle Akers/Mia Hamm/Julie Foudy Generation.

Tash celebrates her goal against Brazil last night

It could also be the lack of an extremely creative attacking-midfielder that can make the right passes and the right connection with the forwards. Carly Lloyd and Lindsay Tarpley are good midfielders and play a very tactical game but I miss some creativity in midfield.

As for Brazil, of course that playing without Daniela, Cristiane and specially Marta makes all the difference. Formiga was killing herself trying to move the team forward. She played every position in midfield last night. And the defense behaved well but without the attacking force to pressure the USA it was just obvious that they would lose the match.

And now the "Abby Wambach case":

With only 32 minutes played in the game Abby rushed to try to reach a ball that was closer to the Brazilian defender. And with the obvious collision she suffered a midshaft oblique fracture on both her tibia and fibula.

In freaking good English it means: SHE BROKE HER LEG AND IS OUT OF THE OLYMPICS!!!

The goal number 100 will have to wait a little longer now

Wambach is an admirable player. She's determined, she's funny and more than that, she scores goals. Until last night she had already scored 99 for the National Team and was eager to get the number 100. I feel very sorry for her injury but it's one of those that I'm sure (because I went through the same a couple years ago), so I'm sure she is going to think "why did I go for that ball, why?"...

Abby will need a 12 week recovery. Good luck girl, come back stronger!

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Alondra's point of view:

The USA played Brazil for their Send-off game in San Diego in front of a sell-out crowd. Everyone was excited for that game, and they did have expectations. They expected Abby Wambach to score her 100th goal. They expected the USA to win and score a lot goals.

It seemed like Abby would get her 100th goal as she had a couple chances early in the first half. The fans were rooting for Abby and her teammates, but soon it all turned into fear.

Wambach, eager to score a goal, went for a 50-50 ball with a Brazilian defender, and came down hard . She instantly waved her hand for attention. They took her away, and it turns out she broke her left tibia and fibula.

Her teammates were worried. Fans were worried. She is one of the best players on the team, and she is very passionate about soccer. She is a big loss for the team.

The US played continued playing a tough first half, and second half. Then when Natasha Kai came in for Lindsay Tarpley, she got the crowd started and brought the energy back up.

In the 85th minute, Carli Lloyd took a free kick, and crossed the ball into the box. Kai got her head on it and scored from 6 yards out. The fans went wild, and she gave them hope. The US ended with a 1-0 win over Brazil.

We all know that Brazil was playing without their star forward, Marta, and without Cristiane and Daniela. It would have been a different game with them on the field. They are very good players. Who knows what the outcome of the game would have been.

As for the USA, they are not doomed. They still have a chance at defending the Gold Medal. Even though they lost Abby Wambach, they still have players that can step up. Natasha Kai prove it, and Amy Rodriguez is a great froward that can cause trouble for any defense. Carli Lloyd can get more into the attack ands hoot from outside the box. Shannon Boxx is great in the air. Defenders Lori Chalupny and Heathr Mitts are key players for the US attack.

It will be harder now for the USA without Wambach, but she doesn't make up the team.

Accidents happen all the time, and the one that she was involved in is no different. She was going for the ball and instead got her leg broken. Hopefully, she'll recover well and soon.

All the US can do now is hope for the best, and play good soccer.

90" + 1" The USA gets their second victory in a row against Brazil. 1-0 with Natasha Kai's goal in the 84 minute. They got the win but what we're all worried about is how serious is Abby Wambach's injury. DON'T MISS OUR POST MATCH REPORT TOMORROW MORNING!

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89" A through ball to Natasha Kai got everyone here to stand up but she was offside.

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84" GGGGGOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL..... FOR the USA!!!!!!!! Carly Lloyd took the free kick and Natasha Kai heads it inside the net!!! Late goal for the USA that might just what they need to win this one!

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83" Another good hassle by Amy Rodriguez. She gives the ball to Kai and she's fouled.

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81" A-Rod, the shortie spitfire, fights for a lost ball on the right and the USA has a corner kick. The ball is played back to Kate Markgraf but nothing came out of it.

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75" Brazil have not produced anything in the second half. Hope Solo is pretty much watching the game. But on the other hand the USA has been putting pressure on the green-yellow defense but the final touch, the goal shot is not happening.

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68" Ball in the box for Shanon Boxx but she couldn't get a good touch on it.

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67" Kate Markgraf is fouled and the USA has another chance on a set piece.

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66" Another great shot by Kate Markgraf. Andrea saves it.

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61" Natasha Kai on the right and she's on the ground. Tackled by Formiga. Free kick for the USA. And the fans on the stands show their support. The free kick is taken and the play was not well rehearsed. Nothing but a goal kick for Brazil.

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58" WOOOW!!! Amazing shot by Formiga... The ball went really close to the right top corner.

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55" And the USA came back for this second half determined to win this match. The team gets a corner and coach Pia Sundhage brings in Natasha Kai to replace Lindsay Tarpley. The team will play with 3 forwards now.

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46" The second half is on its way.

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HALF TIME: Both teams played well but nothing spectacular. It seems that there is still work to be done before any of these teams can claim that Gold Medal

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45"+ 3" After a good last chance for the USA, the referee blows thew whistle for half time

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45" Nice play by Formiga on the left wing but the low cross went straight out

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41" A good play on the right side and Lindsay Tarpley takes a good shot. Ball over the crossbar once again though

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36" Now I'm worried. Abby is still down and it might be more serious than we thought. It could be her left knee. She'll be replaced by Angela Hucles.

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32" Abby and a defender goes for a tough ball challenge and Abby is on the ground. To get Abby Wambach it sure has to be a rough play. She'll be taken out on the strecher to receive that miraculous water and I'm sure she'll be back.

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29" Another harsh tackle on Abby. This time was Renata Costa. Abby sets to take it.... OOOOOOhHHHHH ... The ball probably hit the pigeon flying way way way over the bar

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26" Abby runs throught the midlle and is fouled by Formiga. The USA gets a dangerous free kick. Kate Markgraf takes the shot and kits the wall. On the rebound Abby alomst finds space to get free inside the box. And on the counter attack Brazil scares the Yankee defense.

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20" Corner taken, ball cleared by the defense.

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19" Good wing play by Jatobá. And Brazil gets the corner on the right.

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15" Both teams working well on defense and the ball the goalkeepers are pretty much watching the action. The USA just took a long range shot but the ball went way over the bar

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9" Heather Mitts sees the first yellow card of the night for pulling Pretinha's shirt.

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8" Good shot by Maicon on the left top of the 18-box. Solo saves with no major problems.

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6" Great play by Formiga. She dribles Kate Markgraf and gets the ball to her wing. But the cross was bad.

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4" Wambach is deep pursuit of the goal n two other good chances but the play coulnd't end the way she wanted.

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3" Abby Wambach turns her defender outside on the rightand shoots in diagonal. The ball goes wide.

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1" Game on: Brazil takes the kick off and the cozy small stadium is excited to watch Abby Wambach scores her 100th goal for the USA

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Before the match: USA and Brazil already warmed up here at the Torero Stadium and it's a beautiful Wednesday evening here in San Diego.

The lineups are already confirmed:

USA: 

1- Hope Solo, 2- Heather Mitts, 3- Christie Rampone, 15- Kate Markgraf, 17- Lori Chalupny; 9- Heather O'Reilly, 7- Shannon Boxx, 11- Carly Lloyd, 5- Lindsay Tarpley; 8- Amy Rodriguez, 12- Abby Wambach

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BRAZIL:

1- Barbara, 2- Jatobá, 4- Tania, 5- Andreia Rosa, 6- Rosana; 19- Renata Costa, 7- Formiga, 9- Maicon, 14- Ester; 11- Pretinha, 18- Fabiana

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USA and Brazil will face each other tonight in San Diego, CA as part of both teams preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Last Sunday, on the opening match of the two-game series, the young forward Amy Rodriguez gave the USA the winning goal at the 70 minute.

The game tonight will also give striker Abby Wambach another chance to score her 100th goal for the US WNT.

Me and Alondra are going to be in the Torero Stadium following all the action and posting videos and pictures at half time and after the match.

Stay tuned!

The US Women played Brazil for the first of 2 games of the Olympic Send-Off Tour. The match was  played at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado in front of a crowd of 15,071.

Once again, forward Amy Rodriguez, coming in at halftime for Natasha Kai, scored the game winning goal for the USA, just like she did the last time these two teams met at the Peace Queen Cup.

The goal came in the 70th minute when Abby Wambach received a short pass from Tobin Heath on the left side, and crossed the box to the far post. Brazilian defender, Tania couldn't get a foot on the ball and deflected it. Rodriguez shot the perfectly-placed ball from a tough angle into the top of the goal.

Abby Wambach had a good chance of scoring her 100th goal in the 35th minute when Carli Lloyd took a shot from distance and Kai chipped the rebound in front of the goal for Wambach, but Tania cleared it out for a corner kick.

The USA came off with a win in the first leg of the Tour. They will play Brazil once gain for the Second and last game of the Send-Off Tour at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California. They game will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel at 7:00 PM PT.