USA-Brazil: Americans Miracle on Grass in the Face of Controversy

**oaksoccer** · 07-10-2011, 04:14 PM

The last minute heroics by Abby Wambach were justice in the face of yet another grotesque display of incompetence by FIFA officials. With the USA leading 1-0, Marta was brought down in the penalty area resulting in an expulsion and a penalty shot. Hope Solo's miraculous save on the ensuing penalty shot by Cristiane went for naught after an over exuberant line official committed a monumental gaff that nearly cost the game for the USA. An American was called for encroachment on the penalty shot and Brazil was rewarded with a second attempt. This time Marta scored and it was even 1-1. The media experts all agreed it was a harsh call.

The Americans would play the rest of the game, including the overtime, with only ten players.

The old stench of the FIFA nanny state is always lurking in the air like a fart in a confined car. FIFA is all about imposing authority and controlling behaviour. There is no desire to identify the flaws and advance the sport. At least in our national sport, the NHL, we can appreciate the new rules that allowed the talented players more room to showcase their skills. The effort is there to rebrand the sport. Imagine if an NHL team was forced to play shorthanded for fifty minutes because of one penalty?

Tennis adopted video technology to resolve disputes over calls. Soccer? The same old crap.

There is something about soccer that is so flawed, this quarter final showdown emphasized everything that is so wrong and why this sport can only go mainstream once every four years. How many important soccer matches end up decided by a penalty shot? How many important games end in controversy? What the hell does a penalty shot have to do with soccer anyway? Why is there only one referee on a field with 22 players? Remember England vs. Germany in FIFA 2010? Where was the video technology when England's goal was missed by the official?

How could two world class teams like the USA and Brazil be so incapable of generating anymore than three good scoring opportunities each after 120 minutes on the pitch?

Ugly Brazilians

I hope I never hear the words "Fun Brazilian style soccer" ever again. It's only fun when you're winning. Trailing 1-0, Brazil displayed their true essence. They were classless, desperate and ugly. And let's get honest about Marta. I really believe she is a short man wearing a hair extension, I mean take a good look at that face.
In stark contrast to the Americans who had to deal with an insurmountable climb back into the game due to brain-dead officiating, the Americans responded as they are: Classy, poised, dignified and beautiful. There isn't one unattractive player on that American team. The beautiful team won.
And I’m in love with Hope Solo. That's why I'll keep watching.

**paul-collins** · 07-10-2011, 05:14 PM

A correction: the first PK was taken by Cristiane, the do-over was scored by Marta.

**McGuire** · 07-10-2011, 05:51 PM

The myth that women players don't play dirty & have more sportsmanship than their male counterparts has been thoroughly shattered today, justice was done.

**oaksoccer** · 07-11-2011, 09:30 AM

I just heard Fox News describe this game as "The Miracle on Grass"
I guess I got the headline right.

**squizz** · 07-11-2011, 12:31 PM

Well, if Fox News said it, you know it's reliable.

You know the Americans are ranked #1 in the world, right?

**dsqpr** · 07-11-2011, 07:41 PM

2-1 down, playing with 10 against 11, having played with only 10 players for more than the last 45 mins of a 120 minute match, and playing injury time in extra time. Yes, it was a miracle, but it was a miracle wrought out of hard work and self belief. KUDOS to the American girls, boy did they deserve it.

Most of the refereeing has been quite good but that referee was completely and totally out of her depth. She gave free kicks just because a player fell down and contrived to get almost all the big decisions wrong, and there were lots of them. The only one she got right was the US's retaken penalty in the shoot out.

The whistles of the German fans spoke volumes about the Brazilian women and Marta in particular. Good riddance.

Whining pays off. If you whine at the referee often enough then, even if you have a yellow card for your trouble, the next time a defender challenges you for the ball in the penalty area, just jump into the air and fall to the ground and you will have a penalty and a one player advantage for the rest of the match. Shameful.