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)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Pia Sundhage Caps off 5 Amazing Years with USA 6-2 Thumping of Australia

Posted on September 20, 2012 by nrspiller@gmail.com

The USA Women’s National Team sent off their departing manager, Pia Sundhage, in style last night with a 6-2 drubbing of Australia in an international friendly. The match also resulted in the team’s 100^th goal of 2012, signifying the monumental force that America has become during the Swedish coach’s tenure. Last night was just another of the great victories for the team that won gold in the 2012 London Olympics.

Fortune fell for the American women. Two of their first three goals came from deflected shots that bounced into the corners of the goal. The Australian goalkeeper had no chance of saving those goals, and once America took the lead 3-2 early in the second half, the seal was broken and the goals just poured in.

The American team became one of the most entertaining soccer teams in the world with an energetic style that resulted in lots of goals. Players like Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan have become superstars under Sundhage’s tenure with countless goals and assists as they have claimed victories against nearly all their opposition.

In the 2011 Women’s World Cup, America claimed several exciting wins, including a fantastic result against Brazil that featured a Wambach game-tying goal in the 120^th minute and a victory in a penalty kick shootout. The final was also an exciting game, but Japan claimed the title in penalty kicks.

However, the 2012 Olympics gave America an opportunity for revenge and they got just that, defeating Japan 2-1 in the gold medal final match.

What struck me with this current women’s team was the excitement on the pitch, and this will be immensely hard for a new coach to replicate. The team won countless new fans not just with their victories, but with the exciting way they have done it. Look to the USA Canada semifinal match of the Olympics for proof of that. Morgan scored a late header in the 124^th minute to seal a 4-3 victory in a thrilling match.

Yes, Pia Sundhage will be sorely missed, but only because her presence was so great for American women’s soccer. Hopefully, we will find another great coach such as her because the current players are amazing, and they need someone great to lead them to more success. The team is at its height of talent and popularity and will hopefully battle on to more greatness under a new leader. Thanks for five great years, Pia Sundhage!

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

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)

Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)