We're underway in the first semifinal with the U.S. taking on France. The U.S. is 11-0-1 all-time vs. the French.
It is misting, making for
The only change for the U.S. is that Rachel Buehler is out with the red card from the Brazil match. Becky Sauerbrunn gets her first World Cup action with the start.
Haha France's coach is named Bruno Bini. Classic French name, apparently he likes to play clips of Dead Poets Society with his team.
Amy Rodriguez, my favorite A-Rod, wins the first corner kick of the game. Abby Wambach heads it wide of the goal.
Wambach needs one goal to equal American World Cup record of 12 (held by Michelle Akers). That reminds me, great story about Akers in the latest Sports Illustrated.
France wins a corner, they have 36 so far in the tournament (most of any team). Hope Solo has to make a nice tip save over the crossbar. Good save, another corner for France. Solo handles the next shot easily.
Lauren Cheney scores off a great cross from Heather O'Reilly in the 9th minute. She just had to tip it in with the outside of her right foot. (1-0 U.S.) That was Cheney's second goal in the five matches thus far.
Delie wins a free kick from outside the U.S. box. France is controlling possession so far, the U.S. keeps giving it away carelessly.
O'Reilly wins a corner. Carli Lloyd heads it wide, she did well to get to it but should have done better with the accuracy.
Rodriguez wins another corner.
France keeps getting chances but they are either from distance or right at Solo. By the way, Solo is making her 100th cap for the U.S. today.
Wambach wins a long through ball and makes a nice move to cross it.
Solo with a top class save on a France through ball that got by three U.S. defenders (who were caught ball watching).
France shoots it off the crossbar from outside the box, great strike. The U.S. has to wake up here, France is owning play. The goal was totally against the run of play.
France leads the tournament with 37 shots on goal in the tournament (5 so far today).
Too much kicking and running for the U.S. right now. They need the ball on their feet.
Another shot by France goes over the crossbar, they haven't figured out yet that they're unlikely to score from outside the box on Solo.
Christie Rampone makes a great run forward and plays a cross a little long for Wambach. Abby gets to it but she doesn't have any kind of an angle so it goes back across the goalline.
Shannon Boxx has a cross that Wambach almost gets to but in the process, she sandwiches the French goalkeeper and a defender. Good to see a little flurry from the U.S. They haven't had a shot on goal since the goal in the ninth minute.
Corner kick for France in the 43rd minute. France leads 6-3 in corners so far.
Two minutes of added time.
Halftime: U.S. 1, France 0
Of the eight goals scored by France, seven have come after halftime. Something to keep in mind going into the second half. Frankly the U.S. is lucky to be leading. The goal was a great one and Wambach had a couple tricky chances but France is doing everything they want (other than scoring). Look for a change in the U.S. lineup to start the second half, they need somebody (Rapinoe) that can get the ball and keep it.
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