Memorable 2012 Provided Many Exciting Moments for American Soccer

Posted on December 21, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

Looking back upon American soccer in 2012 provides for many exciting moments and stories. Although there were as many frustrating occurrences for the nation, the sport of soccer is a glorious one, and a fair amount of glorious occasions marked 2012. Here are five of the more memorable events that occurred in American soccer in 2012:

1. High Point – American Women win Gold Medal at 2012 Olympics – Avenging a dramatic loss to Japan in the 2011 Women’s World Cup in penalty kicks, the Americans claimed the Olympic Gold Medal by winning 2-1 at Wembley Stadium. Carli Lloyd provided both the American goals and it made for a spectacular scene. Goalie Hope Solo also provided a stunning save near the end of the match that preserved the win and put the America women back on top, where they belong!

2. Low Point – American Men fail to qualify for 2012 Olympics – While the women were graced with their Gold Medals, the American men didn’t even manage to qualify for the tournament. Although this was a youth tournament, meaning the best Americans weren’t on the pitch, it does still provide an unsettling feeling about the Men’s National Team’s future when they cannot qualify by beating the likes of Canada and El Salvador. The crushing blow came in stoppage time against El Salvador when a mistake by goalie Sean Johnson resulted in a game-tying goal that prevented America from progressing. Better luck next time!

3. Best Goal – Patrick Ianni of the Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City – Patrick Ianni made a name for himself with this stunning volley off of a free kick during an MLS game, winning the MLS Goal of the Year Award. Reminiscent of this fabulous goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the EURO 2012 tournament, Ianni incredibly guided the ball past the keeper and into the net. Although he has yet to represent the senior American National Team, if he continues to score goals like that, his moment will surely come.

4. Best Game – 2012 Olympic Semifinals – USA vs. Canada – Back to the impressive Olympic display by the American women, their 4-3 overtime victory over border rivals Canada in the semifinal match was an instant classic. Canadian striker Christine Sinclair had an impressive hat trick, but every time she scored the Americans came back. Megan Rapinoe had two remarkable goals including one sent in directly off of a corner kick. The match brimmed with controversy in the 80^th minute when a questionable handball in the Canadian box led to a match tying penalty kick by Abby Wambach. Both nations had close chances in extra time, but it was Alex Morgan with a header right at the death to send America into the final and left Canada to scrape for the Bronze Medal. It was a truly magnificent game, full of twists and turns, which seems to be the norm for the American women these days.

5. Best Player – Alex Morgan – Although Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard have been playing wonderfully in the English Premier League, the efforts of Alex Morgan have been simply astonishing. Just age 23, Morgan scored a sensational 28 goals and provided 21 assists this year, becoming the focal point of the American women’s attack. Incredibly, she wasn’t even the starter at the beginning of the year, but she has developed into one of America’s best players. At such a young age she has the potential to become the best American woman to ever play soccer, and has even been tipped by team mate Abby Wambach to break the goal-scoring record in American women’s soccer some day, a feat that Wambach is soon to eclipse herself.

Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

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USA Women’s Team on Verge of Olympic Medal

Posted on August 3, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

With today’s 2-0 win over New Zealand, the USA Women’s soccer team advanced to the Olympic semifinals as they have now won all four of their matches at the 2012 London games. The team only needs to win one more game to earn a medal, and need only win two matches to earn the coveted gold medal and Olympic glory that would result.

The stakes are getting very high at this stage of the tournament, and the matches will become much more difficult as the team will face serious contenders. America has had a fairly simple voyage so far, with their only legitimate competition coming in the France match that they battled back to win 4-2. Since then they have easily brushed aside the likes of Columbia, North Korea, and New Zealand.

Critics will argue that the score lines of these matches that were surprising and frustratingly slim suggest that the US may not be strong enough to handle the likes of a Brazil or Japan, but I beg to differ. Although the margins of victory haven’t been astronomical, the games have never really been in question.

Goalie Hope Solo has had little work to do so far this tournament and America has dominated the matches. Also, since the games have been close the team has yet to be able to relax and lose their drive. They have survived and won a good amount of close games and will need that extra level of intensity if they are to overcome a major team in the world.

The player of the tournament so far has to be Abby Wambach. She has continued to lead the team and has scored in every match at the tournament, placing her jointly atop of the goal-scoring table through this stage of the tournament.

The upcoming matches are the defining ones, however. All the pushovers of the tournament have long since been eliminated from the Olympics and what is left are the best teams.

Facing Canada in the semifinals they will have to defend against the other leading goal scorer of the tournament in Melissa Tancredi. Canada just defeated the Great Britain side, preventing the home nation from earning a medal. Such a feat is quite impressive, and although some Americans will be excited to not have play Great Britain on their soil, Canada is no pushover either.

Looking ahead, there is a good bet that the USA would have to face Japan in the final. A 2011 World Cup final rematch would be a great challenge. Japan is an amazing side that plays fast and defends hard, similar to America’s team. Japan won that last match on penalties so it would be quite a thrilling rematch. After watching Japan defeat Brazil handedly 2-0, the defending world champions look like the team to beat if team USA is to repeat as Olympic champions.

Rating: 7.0/10 (1 vote cast)

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USA Women’s Team Continues Exciting Form in Olympics

Posted on July 26, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

Women are often viewed as enigmas. The USA Women’s national team continued that belief during their opening match of the 2012 Olympics in Great Britain. Playing against a good France team, USA began horrendously by going 2-0 down in the opening minutes. However with great perseverance the team roared back to a 4-2 victory, rekindling memories of an exciting 2011 Women’s World Cup, and they are now on track to compete for a medal during these Olympics.

The spark that has repeatedly lifted America to greatness is Abby Wambach. The veteran forward is a remarkable player and is extremely good at headers. During the 2011 World Cup, she gained monumental fame for her 120^th minute header to equalize against Brazil, as well as a couple other headers including one in the semifinal vs. France, and one in the final match against Japan.

In yesterday’s match, Wambach scored a crucial header that got the US on the score sheet and began the comeback. The goal came five minute after we went down 2-0 and were appearing to crumble. Wambach displayed the type of leadership that is paramount to a team’s needs. Headed goals can come out of nowhere and her talent for scoring these types of goals in vital moments is simply amazing.

The goal gave USA a new sense of purpose. They began to play more open and were able to muster up more goals through Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd.

Alex Morgan is again playing very well, especially for her young age. She has a great calmness in front of goal that enables her to take advantage of every opportunity. She is already a superstar and will likely become the leader of this team in the future.

Although there is definite reason to criticize the USA after the way they started their first Olympic game with horrendously sloppy defending, there is an overwhelming sense of pride in how they restored the lead and won this match. With the ability to come back like they do, there is always a hope that America is never out of any game. This trait will draw fear into the opposition and will keep our confidence high.

I feel that it all starts with Wambach though. She is the defining character of this team and scores most of the important goals. I think that this will be her tournament based on the past and with the all-important header against France. Look out for her the rest of the way in Britain, because she makes women’s soccer incredibly exciting.

Rating: 7.0/10 (1 vote cast)

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Beckham Wonder-Goals not enough for Great Britain

Posted on July 2, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

LA Galaxy superstar David Beckham recently got some bad news as he was not selected by Stuart Pearce for the Great Britain Olympic squad. The manager decided to select Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy instead for his senior players.

Although the entire Great Britain team plays for clubs in England (most in the English Premier League), one would have thought that Beckham would be an ideal candidate for a spot. Yes at age 37, he is no longer the maestro that he was during his Real Madrid days, but he still is one of the best long range shot artists around.

For the 2012 MLS season, Beckham has netted on three occasions, each one more fantastic than the last. Two of his goals were on trademark free-kicks that swerved away from keepers’ grasps. His most recent effort was a dramatic kick that brought the Galaxy level during their hotly contested loss against the San Jose Earthquakes. San Jose’s goalie John Busch didn’t even attempt to save the ball as it came in so fast. The goal totally deflated the Earthquakes and was followed by two more quick scores that temporarily gave LA a 3-1 lead.

But apparently such a skill was not enough to merit a side in the Olympic squad that is set to feature in London later this month. It will be a hard blow for Beckham to accept this late in his career. The opportunity to represent your country on your home soil is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Stuart Pearce obviously had a bias towards the EPL in making his selections and disregarded the level of the MLS. But what surprises me is that he ignored a player who is so talented at free kicks. International soccer matches often come down to a single moment of beauty, and Beckham is one of the world’s best at directing free kicks. His accuracy is so good that I doubt any goalie could have saved any one of his three goals.

Beckham could have been used as a substitute and brought in late during a match if a free kick opportunity presented itself. Obviously using a player for such a matter is unprecedented, but we are talking about David Beckham here. The man had a movie named after his “bending” ability. He has continued to score these kinds of ridiculous goals for his entire career. I feel that Pearce has made a mistake in ignoring Beckham.

For America his snub is a positive event however. The LA Galaxy is struggling and could use Beckham’s help. Although his goal against San Jose was not enough to earn a victory or a place on Great Britain’s team, goals like that is what the Galaxy desperately needs if they want any shot at repeating as MLS champions.

Rating: 6.0/10 (1 vote cast)

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