Brazil can't finish, USA comes from behind to win and advance!

US Wins!

2-1. Or was 3-0? Well, doesn’t matter really. The final score is Brazil over the U.S. in 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup play in Germany. In the opening minutes, Brazil scored on its own goalie, giving the U.S. an early lead and what would turn out to be its only score. This game, was a genuine clash of the Titans. BREAKING NEWS! Coming from the far side, Rapinoe drives, passes across the field and Wambach slams it home with a head shot! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! 2-2. With seconds left in the final extra frame, the United States musters all in one final attack, out-outnumbered, but not out-done, did not give up and score the tying goal to take this one to penalty shots - to determine the winner and the eventual advance to the semi finals.

First Attempt: the U.S. Boxx is blocked, but in a play reminiscent on a call against Hope Solo, the goalie moved up and out of position is called for the penalty. Boxx scores on second attempt.

Brazil: Goal!

1-1.

Second Attempt: Lloyd. Lloyd went left and Goal! 2-1.

Brazil: Marta Silva is up. Goal! Marta went left and Hope Solo to her left and saw it go to her right.

Third Attempt: Wambach. She goes right and up and GOAL! 3-2.

Brazil: Daiane is up. She goes left and Solo blocks it! 3-2.

Fourth Attempt: Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe goes left and scores! Goal!

Brazil: Goal!

Fifth Attempt: Krieger. Goal! America Wins! there is hope and that hope is HOPE SOLO!

In a game that seemed to be all but over with seconds to play, the United States turns it around and wins it in penalty shots. Early on, the U.S. woman dominated the entire field and at 68 minutes, Marta scored the first goal for Brazil and would later score another at 92 minutes, just minutes into the first of two fifteen-minute. All the while, the U.S. was down a player from minute 64. The United States did not give in, and Brazil did not go in for the kill. With seconds to play, Rapinoe lifted up a centering pass and Wambach slammed it home to score the tying goal. There is always hope!

As an individual that viewed the entire game, my one enduring comment will be that with all of the missed calls - on both sides, video replay is that much closer. Questionable calls and frustrating non-calls leaves one scratching one’s head or cleaning up liquid from the liquid plasma screen and leaves one wondering why this fine game is littered with so many questionable calls. The ejection of Rachel Bueller is just so unfathomable, that it is just that: unfathomable.

Don’t knock the players. Both teams played as champions. Both played as power teams on a mission. Brazil did not finish well and the United States did. Hope Solo in goal was the on-field leader and lead her team to victory.

Dresden burned in World War Two and now Dresden burns again, along with America, with the fire from the American women!

The opening paragraph was being written with minutes to play and will remain for me as it represents to you my belief that this game was over.

There is always hope. Her name is: Hope Amelia Solo. Siempre Esperanza!