The U.S. Women’s National Team put on quite a show for the 5,234 fans at Crew Stadium as they rolled to a 2-0 victory over #4 ranked Japan. Abby Wambach and Amy Rodriguez both contributed a first half goal behind a potent attack and a stout defense. The speed of Japan was no match for Wambach and goalkeeper Hope Solo, who were intimidating characters for the U.S.
The match started at a trickle for the Americans as Japan’s possession game dominated the first 25 minutes of play. “Japan is a great possession-oriented team team,” Solo stated in a postgame interview with International Soccer Network. “And they make us think and they make us defend.”
The U.S. struggled to put together strings of passes and seemed to be lacking the tenacity normally exhibited by one of the world’s best national teams.
However, Japan awoke a sleeping giant and had their hands full for the next 65+ minutes. The U.S. women got the attack rolling in the 29th minute with a powerful header from Wambach. Defender Ali Krieger got credit for the assist after crafting a perfect cross to Wambach, who connected with the ball from about seven yards out before taking a knock from Japan’s goalkeeper.
The floodgates appeared to be opened in the 37th minute as Amy Rodriguez hammered in another goal, knocking a shot off the post before going in. Wambach would get the assist, but hard work from Heather O’Reilly set up the play to start with.
Sensing a rout, Japan battened down the hatches and pushed forward in the attack after a 2-0 deficit at halftime. The Japanese had their best opportunity of the night in the 81st minute when U.S. defender Becky Sauerbrunn saved a goal with a brilliant clearance of yet another surge by the speedy attack of Japan.
Solo never seemed too threatened, registering 3 saves from 9 shots. She was calm and collected, never missing a step as she directed the U.S. defense. It was her first start for the national team and only her second appearance since major shoulder surgery in September.
“Personally for me it was just great to get back on the field,” Solo continued. “It was a great opportunity for Pia to get some experience for some of our younger players.”
Saturday was a night of milestones for the USWNT. Wambach scored her 118th international goal, while defender Carli Lloyd wore the captain’s armband in honor of her 100th cap. The team also celebrated an unbelievable 49 game unbeaten streak in domestic matches.
It was also a night of affirmation for soccer fans. We remembered that Solo is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and that Wambach is a super striker that puts the fear of God into defenders. We remembered that the U.S. women’s national team has an even better shot at winning it all at the World Cup this summer in Germany.
Most of all we saw what the game was all about: sharing passion and love for the beautiful game to others. Young girls in their soccer jerseys yelled out “Abby” and “Hope” and “Megan” and were thrilled, often speechless when they got autographs and photos with their idols. The game will continue to grow because of these young women, who are professional and world-class. Will Abby Wambach and Hope Solo be the next Mia Hamm or the next Marta? Well we have to say Abby and Hope are great enough on their own and have set a new standard for women’s soccer across the globe.
