USA women's soccer was on the brink of a damaging defeat in the World Cup. In fact, the likely 2-1 loss to Brazil would have made the U.S. an afterthought in women's soccer for the first time in the modern era. But with just a minute left in extra time, the Americans shocked Brazil and the world with a comeback that ranked among the greatest moments in U.S. history for both the men and women.
American soccer isn't that highly regarded, at least compared to the rest of the world. But the men and women's teams have had their share of headline-making moments in the last two decades, and the women's rally over Brazil may have topped them all.
Technically, the biggest win in USA history was in 1999, when the ladies actually won the World Cup over Brazil in penalty kicks. Those were special circumstances because the team was favored and was playing at home -- and Brandi Chastain made extra headlines for taking her shirt off at the end.
Exactly 12 years later, the USA's latest penalty kick win over Brazil was even bigger, although it wasn't for a World Cup crown. The Americans weren't favored, all but counted out after losing to Sweden days earlier. They suffered due to bad calls that led to Brazil's two goals, and were a minute away from a reputation-shattering defeat.
Since America hadn't won the Cup in 12 years, and was on the brink of missing the semifinals for the first time, this loss could have taken it off the soccer A-list. Instead, Abby Wambach's header in the 122nd minute turned the team from a disappointment into a miracle. After that, the victory on penalty kicks was all but written -- and, naturally, the Americans made all their kicks against Brazil, as they did 12 years ago.
Not only was it the most shocking victory in USA women's history, it likely topped any victories from the men as well. But the men do have their 1950 upset of England, their 1994 victory over Columbia on home soil, their run to the 2002 quarterfinals, and their group victory in 2010 to brag about.
Yet the only one of those wins on par with Sunday's event was the men's last-second shocker over Algeria. But Landon Donovan's climactic goal can also serve as a cautionary tale for the women. After the men advanced on that unlikely strike, they could not take advantage later, and were upset by Ghana in the second round.
If Sunday's escape is to truly be the greatest moment in USA women's soccer history, more World Cup glory will be on the way this week. But if America falters against France Wednesday or Japan or Sweden in the final, the comeback will have only staved off the inevitable, like Donovan's goal did.
Sources
Yahoo Sports- "Wambach scores another U.S. miracle"
SI.com- "New faces, long spaces complicate U.S. ratings success for World Cup"
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