U.S. Women Withstand Withering Brazilian Attacks To Grab Olympic Gold

It was discouraging to see the lack of patience on the part of the US team. There was absolutely no patience in allowing the play to build from the back. Often passes were directed to areas occupied by the opponent instead of directly to a teammate. There was a complete lack of cohesion. There was a reliance upon the break-away, not on a steady passing play. To me it looked like the Bra. team was the better team, playing with more patience and better over-all team work. No doubt the US missed a few players, but still had an abundance of talent. I don't think the US can reach it's full potential until they learn how to move the ball better. Of course they could not get away with doing certain things against this talented Bra team. But that revealed the US's weaknesses. Glad for the victory, sorry it wasn't accomplished with a more stylish game. Not complaining! Ha, ha.

It's more than ironic that Hope Solo, whom that idiot Greg Ryan brazenly sat on the bench against Brazil in the WWC semifinals last year, kept the U.S. in the game for 85 minutes.

It's more than ironic that Carli Lloyd, perhaps the only player on the WNT who supported and befriended Solo during her "exile," scored the winning goal.

This is called divine payback.

What makes this even more gratifying is that the victory came without the lead troublemakers who persecuted Solo (Lilly, Wambach, Whitehill) and the person who could have ended the whole controversy with some public comments (Scurry) but didn't.

All four of those "persons" need to come out right now and apologize publicly for the cruel way they treated Solo.

And none of them should ever wear the national uniform again in international competition. Ever.

@ Joseph

I was thinking almost the exact same thing about Solo she really played well and it is disheartening to think how differently the WC game goes if Scurry hadn't disheartened her defense with her horrendous play.

Also, not to nitpick or pick on you here, Nick since many writers seem to have a hard on for declaring the Brazilian women's soccer team the greatest thing ever...shouldn't they have to win multiple major titles before they are a dynasty? Heck, let's see them win ONE before we crown them as the greatest ever. Last time I checked there are only 2 truly great teams in women's soccer and that is the US and Germany.

Brazil has potential, no doubt but until they start winning consistently I'm not on the wagon. (plus we were without Wambach who is no doubt our best player, let's see how well Brazil does without their best player. It's quite a bigger drop off in form)

Before I forget, CONGRATS to the ladies! Amy Rodriguez really had a coming out party. She was great all tournament and Kai as well.

Nick replies: Point taken. But the Brazilian team is young and we haven't seen the best of them yet, which is scary. The big difference in the game: Sundhage out-coached her opposite number.

On the morning that day when I knew it had rained like hell in beijing I shivered in worry. This thing will get harder for the yellow jerseys. Because the heavy soaked terrain jeopardizes a couple of their best qualities in mid field and attack (retaking the ball and possessing) and unveils their worst defects down in defense.

Then I thought of 1x1 and overtime.

In fact, after the game and US medal my guess is that US coach approach of tactics, her bet proved correct on an all out defense. Brazilian bet on all out attack
in the muddy soft turf was a take all or lose all thing. and proved wrong. What rain downpour just increased Pia Sundhage´s belief in wearing out the opponents energies. The fatigue in OT made it clear to viewers.

But we´ll come back.