US Women's Team Getting It Done

Just three days after their “impossible” win over Brazil (play-by-play commentator Ian Darke’s words, not mine), the women of the US Team have done it again, this time defeating France 3-1 and advancing to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals for the first time since 1999. 

USA came out to an early lead when Lauren Cheney deflected a shot by Heather O’Reilly’s in for the first goal of the game in the 9^th minute.  This would conclude the scoring in the first half. 

France’s equalizer goal came in the 55^th minute, when Sonia Bompastor was able to bounce one past American favorite Hope Solo.  Despite being outshot 25-11 in the match (10-3 in the first half an hour of play), this was the only shot that would get by the Tim Thomas of WWC tourney.

Abby Wambach, who has established herself as one of the world’s elite players, scored the US’ second point on a header in the 79^th minute of play.  This was her third goal in as many games.  Just three minutes later, Alex Morgan – who had entered the game for Amy Rodriguez – scored the third and final goal for the United States.

Looking ahead to Sunday, the US team might be facing its biggest challenge yet: Japan.  The most technical team in this year’s WWC, Japan has been described as a “precision passing team” and owns the best pass completion rating in the tournament (76.8).  Although USA is the bigger and more physical team, the key to victory in the finals will be limiting Japan’s possession.

Historically speaking, the United States enters the matchup as the favorites, boasting a 22-0-3 all-time record versus Japan (and maintaining a 77-13 goal advantage).  This season, Team USA has beaten Japan in all three meetings with Rodriquez scoring in each of the matches.  This may not be an accurate reflection, however, of things to come as the Japanese team had been limited in practice due to the horrific events (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear meltdown) experienced this past March.  If yesterday’s match against Sweden showed us anything, it’s that these women are ready to play.

Injuries, Lockouts and Court Dates ... WTF Is Going On Around Here?

With all of the Bruins hype starting to settle down around here, I have finally had a chance to look around and acknowledge that the world of sport did not, in fact, stop in the wake of Stanley Cup Championship.  Weird, right?  Apparently, not only did the world keep spinning – but all hell started to break lose:

• Clay Buckholz went on the 15-day disabled list after straining his lower back
• Jon Lester was pulled from the mound amist a no-hit outing due to a strained left lat.  He was later added to the DL.
• Adrian Gonzalez missed Wednesday night’s game after experiencing stiffness in his neck.  This was the first game that the all-star first baseman has missed this season.
•  It appears that we will have to wait until July 18^th to see the return of Carl Crawford, who has been rehabbing a left hamstring strain.
• NFL labor negotiations are fast approaching the drop-dead date (some are speculating that this date in July 10^th) for an agreement before the preseason will be impacted.
• 22 of the 30 NBA teams have claimed – despite the League grossing $4 billion – to have lost money ($300 million total) this past season, causing owners to lock players out after they could not reach an agreement on a new CBA with the NBPA.  What this means: no summer league, no free agency signings, no training camps to give drafter rookies the opportunity to practice with new coaches and teammates, and most likely a shortened 2011-12 season.
• With the start of Roger Clemen’s perjury trial yesterday (The United States v. Roger Clemens), the government has proven that it literally has nothing better to do but waste time and money.  Accused of lying under oath to the House Governemnt Reform Committee in 2008, Clemens faces six felony counts of perjury, false statements and obstruction of Congress.  The Rocket faces up to 15-21 months in prison.
• Almost immediately after Tomas Kaberle inked a 3-year, $12.765 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Bs acquired Joe Corvo (Carolina blueliner).  Not that I was a Kaberle fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I’d take him over a guy that plead guilty to punching and kicking a 34-year-old woman in a Boston bar in 2003.  The fuck?

So, ya, all that happened.  Four games remain until the all-star break … I’m hoping that at that point things return to normal, or as close to normal as things can get around here.