2011 World Cup Final: U.S. Women Fall In Penalty Kicks to Japan, 3-1

The 2011 U.S. women's soccer team did not complete their final and most important task: winning the World Cup in Germany this summer but it's a given that they gained a whole new generation of fans (male and female) stateside with their incredible tournament run.

Their loss to Japan in penalty kicks (3-1) was stunning but it shouldn't overshadow a very likable team filled with many new faces and characters that performed very well after stumbling in qualifying for this tournament. I love soccer so I'm obviously bias but I always appreciate the game at its highest level no matter what that entails (high school, soccer, pro, men's, women's). Yes the field is smaller (16 teams vs. 32 teams) but the U.S. women have already won two World Cups while the U.S. men will probably never come close to that in my lifetime. Therefore, you have to appreciate when any U.S. team can excel this much in the world's most popular sport.

I'm sure they were beyond sick of being compared to teams of the past but now Hope Solo, Abby Wambach (first American with a goal in four straight World Cup games), Alex Morgan, Lauren Cheney, Megan Rapinoe and Co. are household names that will hopefully spur more development for soccer in the United States. In the summer, we always look for diversions beyond baseball and this Women's World Cup was a particularly memorable one featuring numerous exciting games topped by an improbable comeback by the U.S. over Brazil in the quarterfinals (2-1) and then a 3-1 victory against France in the semifinals.

A 12-year drought since the U.S.' last World Cup trophy (the seminal moment in 1999: the penalty kicks win over China at the Rose Bowl) appeared to be over today as Pia Sundhage's squad took a 1-0 lead in the 69th minute with an exquisite goal by Morgan. Japan answered quickly as a terrible giveaway in the back led to a goal by Yuki Nagasoto in the 80th minute.

As the game headed to extra time, Japan seemed to have all the momentum but the U.S. responded with a goal in the 104th minute as Abby Wambach (her 14th all-time for the U.S. in the World Cup) headed in a perfect cross from Morgan. Yet once again, Japan wasn't rattled as Homare Sawa (winner of the Golden Boot-best player and Golden Ball-most goals (5)) tied it with a redirection off a Japanese corner kick in the 117th minute-the latest goal ever in a Women's World Cup Final.

From there, the U.S.' first three shooters (Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath) all had their shots saved or missed while Japan hit two of its first three. That put the United States behind the eight ball and it was basically a foregone conclusion they were done as Japan clinched it 3-1. Debating the merits of penalty kicks to decide a World Cup game is an argument for another day. I'm not a fan of them either (like most people) but that's what has been done forever so don't expect draconian FIFA to change it up anytime soon.

Let's also not forget that the United States absolutely dominated in the first half, particularly the first 30 minutes or so but they couldn't cash in any of their great chances. Unfortunately as it usually does, that came back to haunt them as the contest tightened up in the second half and extra time.

Maybe because I saw all the games from start to finish or the players are mostly around my age bracket but I felt a special connection with this group. Twitter and social media made them much more accessible than before and you could get a taste of the whole experience just by reading what they had to say in their downtime abroad.

Where does the U.S. team go from here? The next World Cup isn't for another four years but in between, they'll have the Olympics (which use to be the biggest international competition for soccer) in 2013 and then qualifying for 2015. This is a mostly young team that should return the nucleus of its team (Solo, Heather O'Reilly, Wambach, Cheney, Rapinoe) for another shot at that elusive third World Cup title.

I'd be remiss if I didn't say congratulations to Japan as well. It clearly wasn't the result that any American wanted but if any country deserved it, Japan fits the bill. After the earthquake and tsunami in Japan earlier this year, it is only fitting that an Asian country won its first Women's World Cup.

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2011 Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. France 2nd half live blog

Second half is underway. No changes for the U.S., Delie is out for France.

This is getting silly, the U.S. can't do anything with the ball. They continue to give it away. They can't play this way with 40 minutes left, France is going to take advantage at some point.

Bompastor ties it up in the 55th minute. Her cross went right on goal, a France player couldn't connect but it went off the post and in. Not Solo's fault, you could see this goal coming from a mile away. (1-1)

First U.S. sub: Alex Morgan in for Rodriguez.

Krieger rolls her ankle and comes off the field for a moment.

The U.S. is looking really shaky. Two corners for France. Megan Rapinoe in for Lloyd (second U.S. sub).

15 of France's 20 shots have come from outside the box.

Cheney wins a free kick outside the France area. Rapinoe puts it on net, forcing a dicey save by the French goalkeeper. Morgan is ruled offsides (by a hair, if that) before her rebound was save.

Wow, Morgan is taken down on a through ball that was bouncing. No call, so much contact.

WTF? A French player goes to head the ball out of Solo's hands. Yet no card? Haha never seen that before. As usual for this tournament, the referees have been abysmal.

France has never reached the final of a major tournament (World Cup, Olympics).

Thomis in for France, captain Soubeyrand is out.

U.S. wins a corner. Wambach got knocked down in the box on a 50-50 ball. Cheney floats it to the far post and Wambach heads it in. (2-1 U.S in the 79th minute). Her third goal in five matches, tying Akers for first all-time for the U.S (12 goals).

France misses a header from in close, Delis would have put that one in. Thanks for subbing her out Bruno.

Morgan makes it 3-1 after a great find from Rapinoe. Seemed like she waited too long as she came down the side but she lifted it over the French goalkeeper. Great strike, big for her confidence. That's what she's capable of doing.

Five of her eight goals for the U.S. have come in or after the 80th minute.

Tobin Heath in for O'Reilly. Last U.S. sub, outstanding performance by O'Reilly. She's a rock in the midfield, one of the U.S.' most consistent players in every game.

Morgan almost adds a second goal. France is pushing forward and she gets a semi-breakaway, forcing a good save by France's goalkeeper. U.S. corner.

Yellow card for Thomis, hard challenge on LePeilbet.

Two minutes of added time.

It's all over, the U.S. wins 3-1 and advances to their first Women's World Cup final since 1999. Great response after playing bad for much of the match. The subs (Rapinoe, Morgan) totally changed the momentum of the game and made winning plays. Excellent goals by Wambach and Morgan. Nice to see Morgan get a goal too, that'll be big for her confidence. She's a baller.

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2011 Women's World Cup semifinal: U.S. vs. France 1st half live blog

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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Abby Wambach's Game-Tying Header Vs. Brazil

You'll be seeing this oh about ten million times in the next few days but who cares? What a play and what a win.

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2011 Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. Brazil extra time live blog

Marta scores in the 92nd minute. Would you believe that there was a Brazilian player offsides on the play too? Ugh, this is absurd. The good news is that it's not Golden Goal and it will go the full 30 minutes so plenty of time for the U.S. to tie it up.

14th career World Cup goal for Marta, tied for most all-time (with Prinz of Germany).

U.S. corner and out for another.

Wambach's shot just deflected out by the glove of Brazil's goalkeeper. U.S. corner, great pressure by the U.S. You have to think this clown referee might gift them a call at this point but who knows.

Brazil wins a corner. Marta almost puts it in but Solo makes a sweet diving save for another Brazil corner.

Marta is the reigning five-time FIFA player of the year and she's only 25.

Lepeilbet is playing much better, her best game of the tournament. She puts it out for a Brazil corner. Brazil has two more subs left, one more for the U.S.

Solo clearly tips one out but it's called a goal kick. Just staying with the theme of today's referee mess.

One minute of added time is over.

After first 15 minutes: Brazil 2, U.S. 1

LePeilbet goes down in the box but no call. It was a bit of a flop so it wasn't really deserving of a PK but worth a try.

Rapinoe free kick from the outside of the box, headed over by Wambach.

Tobin Heath is coming on for O'Reilly. Last sub for the U.S.

Morgan gets it in deep but her ball to the middle is too slow and predictable. Morgan goes down in the box but can't buy a call despite the pro-U.S. crowd freaking out.

Lloyd fouls a Brazilian defender, who lies on the ground on the verge of death or something. Maurine gets a yellow card for wasting time then shanks the free kick out of bounds.

Brazil wins a free kick but Maurine puts it well over and wide.

Time to send everyone forward Pia, nothing to lose at this point.

U.S has not lost two games in a row in a decade and never been knocked out this early (always made it to the semifinals).

All the Brazil players are taking turns playing dead. This is a complete disaster of a game.

Yellow card for that clown-Erika.

U.S. free kick from outside the box. Lloyd takes it and it's not even close. It's been that kind of day for the U.S.

Solo makes a save and her long kick goes right to Brazil's goalkeeper.

Lloyd blasts it over from outside the box.

Three minutes of added time.

Holy shit! Wambach with a goal in the 122nd minute. Great cross from Rapinoe, Wambach with one of the most clutch goals you'll ever see.

11th career World Cup goal for Wambach.

End of added time: U.S. 2, Brazil 2

We're headed to penalty kicks!

Shannon Boxx up first for U.S.: saved by Andrea was about two yards off the line. Haha she gets a rekick. She scores on the second try. (1-0 U.S.)

Cristian scores for Brazil, cool as you like (1-1).

Lloyd scores for the U.S (2-1 U.S.)

Marta is up next. She drills it lower left (2-2).

Wambach drills it, side netting on the right. (3-2 U.S.)

What a great save by Solo on Brazil's sweeper (3-2 U.S.).

Rapinoe drills hers too, rocket. (4-2 U.S.).

Franciella keeps Brazil alive with a goal. (4-3 U.S.).

Kreiger wins it, 5-3 U.S!

See you in the semifinals on Wednesday. France vs. U.S. at 11:30 a.m., Japan vs. Sweden to follow.

You can't script a better ending than that. The U.S. was on the brink of one of the great screwjobs (with apologies to Bret Hart) in soccer history (not just women's). Wambach's goal was incredible and you knew that Solo would make at least one save in penalty kicks since she's the best goalkeeper in the world. I have chills, goosebumps, you name it. Incredible, USA USA USA!

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2011 Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. Brazil 2nd half live blog

No changes for either team at halftime. The two times that the U.S. has won the World Cup, they haven't lost a game (they have this time).

Five or Brazil's seven goals have occurred in the 15 minutes after halftime.

Wambach and Formiga run into each other pretty hard. Wambach is sitting on a yellow card so she needs to be careful (after this game, the cards all get wiped out).

Haha Lloyd with an obvious hand ball but Brazil only gets a free kick, no card. It would have been her second card and she would have been done for the day.

Marta is an incredible player (the best in the women's game) but she complains way too much.

Cheney is out, Megan Rapinoe in (55th minute). First sub of the game. Cheney was invisible today but Julie Foudy thinks that Lloyd should have been the one that was pulled.

Rosana with a nice run into the box but nice job by Allie Krieger to knock it out for a corner. Solo goes for it and wins a free kick (handball on a header).

Good save by Solo on Fabiana. She's 2nd all-time in wins for the U.S.

Brazil is buzzing now, they look a step quicker than the U.S. at the moment.

Rapinoe with a great ball on a free kick, Lloyd's header hits the post and goes out for a Brazil goal kick. That would have been huge for the U.S., probably game over.

Buehler gets a red card for a challenge on Marta. Tough call. PK for Cristiane. Saved by solo and now they're calling it back and giving her a yellow. Rekick. This is a joke. Marta is taking this one. 1-1 in the 68th minute.

Marta's 3rd goal in four games. 13 goals all-time in World Cup (2nd all-time).

What a ridiculous situation. Buehler didn't deserve a red. Solo makes the first stop but she gets a yellow and a second PK for leaving early (bogus). Then Marta takes the second one and scores. One of the most absurd situations I can ever remember in a soccer game.

Alex Morgan in for Amy Rodriguez. 2nd sub for the U.S. Rodriguez didn't do much today either.

Morgan wins a corner kick.

If the U.S. can get through all this bullshit, it would be incredible. Yes they scored on a Brazil own goal and Lloyd probably deserved a red card for her hand ball (since she already had a yellow) but that sequence will go down as one of the most shady in soccer history (which is saying a lot).

U.S. wins another corner. Does Brazil now they're up a player? They also haven't made a substitution, great coaching there.

Brazil corner.

First Brazil sub, Rosana out for Francielle.

O'Reilly wins a free kick by taking on a Brazil player 1 on 1, what a concept! Brazil clears it out.

What is going on? Rapinoe gets a yellow for god knows what but the U.S. retains possession for a free kick? This ref is the biggest joker I've ever seen.

Three minutes of added time comes and goes. Haha Morgan drills a Brazil player in the stomach (she went to block it).

Final in regulation: U.S. 1, Brazil 1

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Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. Brazil 1st half live blog

This is the last quarterfinal match with the winner facing France on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The U.S. has won the last four matches against Brazil 1-0 but in the 2007 World Cup, Brazil rolled 4-0 over the U.S. in probably the most embarassing loss for the Americans.

Second fastest goal (74 seconds in) in U.S. World Cup history as Shannon Boxx's cross gets put in by Daiane in the second minute. (1-0 U.S.) Abby Wambach's run to the goal distracted Brazil's defense, terrible attempted clear ends up in the back of the net.

Brazil is ranked No. 3, U.S. is No. 1.

U.S. has never lost in a World Cup quarterfinal (won in all five matches); Abby Wambach has scored in her last two quarterfinals.

Wambach flicks on a header from Christie Rampone's long free kick, U.S. wins a corner kick.

Brazil fails to clear it and the U.S. gets another corner.

Amy Le Peilbert wins the ball from a Brazil player and shoots it just wide. Heather O'Reilly started the play by beating Brazil down the sideline. U.S. is looking very solid, Brazil appears shell-shocked from the early setback.

Solo punches out a free kick.

U.S. defenses looks shaky (where have I heard that before) and Brazil gets a corner. Solo misses the punch but the Brazil's captain Aline puts the header wide. Should have been a goal since Solo completely whiffed.

Marta gets a partial breakaway (running 3/4 of the field) but Rampone sticks with her and the Brazilian star shoots over the U.S. goal.

Amy Rodriguez goes way offsides before collecting a pass.

Lloyd gets a deserved yellow card for a rough challenge.

Brazil's goalkeeper punches out an easy ball that she should have caught.

Solo comes flying out of the goal and jumps over Rosana for a 50-50 ball.

Solo with another save on a long shot by Cristian.

Brazil's Fabiana hits a cross/shot off the U.S. crossbar. After a U.S. turnover in the back, she tried to lift it over Solo.

Boxx breaks through but can't put anything on a shot. Damn, next CAP will be her 150th.

Dual yellow cards for Aline and Marta.

The game has no flow whatsoever now. U.S. keeps giving the ball away and Brazil is playing its favored style of hero ball (all 1 on 1).

Halftime: U.S. 1, Brazil 0

Sloppy play by both sides. Neither seem to be on their game so far.

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Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. Sweden 2nd half live blog

Alex Morgan in for Rodriguez to start the second half, the U.S.' first sub.

She wins a corner on her first touch but the U.S. can't do much with it.

The Swedish goalkeeper makes a mess of a save on a long shot but there aren't any U.S. players close enough to take advantage of it.

Cheney shoots over again. In the first half, Ian Darke and Julie Foudy (ESPN's annoucners) raved about how she always puts her chances on goal. That hasn't been happening today for her, guess they jinxed it.

Rapinoe beats a defender down the side and forces a save, Shannon Boxx gets the rebound but skies it over. The U.S. appears nervous, not sure why since they're already down 2-0. What is there to be afraid of?

Fishcher shoots wide, Sweden is looking like the better team even though they're ranked No. 5 and the U.S. is No. 1.

Cox on for Le Peilbert. Nightmare game for the U.S. defender as she gave up the PK and then had the deflection for the second Swedish goal.

Yellow card for Fischer. Lloyd takes the free kick, it's a hard shot but right at the Sweden goalkeeper who juggles it but makes the save.

Sweden has never beat the U.S. in World Cup play.

Long free kick by the U.S. is punched out by Sweden's goalkeeper.

Morgan wins another corner kick. U.S. has to get a goal soon, time is running out. 25 minutes and change remaining.

There we go, my girl Wambach finally gets on the scoresheet. She went up for the header on the corner but it went off her shoulder. Classic Wambach goal, she beat multiple defenders. (2-1 Sweden in the 67th minute).

Cheney has a chance to tie it but her header is way wide. Suddenly, the U.S. has some life.

10 career goals in World Cup for Wambach, 2nd all-time for U.S.

Kelley O'Hara in for Rapinoe. Her first CAP for the U.S. That's the last U.S. sub.

Dahlkvist is out, Hammarstrom is on (first Swedish sub).

Terrible call by the referee giving Sweden a goal kick when it clearly went off their player and should have been a U.S. corner.

Haha Darke and Foudy already start looking ahead to U.S. vs. Brazil even though there's probably 10 minutes left in this one and the U.S. only needs one more goal.

Yikes. Cheney finds O'Hara wide open in the box but she misses badly. Should have been a goal. I know it's her first CAP but if you want to play with the big girls, you gotta make some plays. That'll probably be their last chance.

Final: Sweden 2, U.S. 1

Sweden plays Australia on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. while the U.S. meets Brazil at 11 a.m.

The U.S. should have done better overall in this match that they only had to tie. Going down 2-0 in the first half was predictably too much to overcome. Both goals were their own fault and they should have scored a few more times than they did. Sweden is a good team though and they earned the three points and Group C title.

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2011 Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. North Korea 2nd half live blog

ESPN's Julie Foudy points out (rightly) that the U.S. doesn't seem to have any swagger yet, I think she's know too.

No substitutions for either team at halftime.

Chaney gets another chance and stop me if you've heard this before but she shot it right at the goalkeeper.

Damn, Chaney had open-heart surgery when she was 3-years-old.

Haha what? North Korea waits until two minutes into the second half to take a defender (Yun) out for Yi. Interesting tactic.

After a free kick, Shannon Boxx (best fake porn name in the business) puts it over. Good pressure by the U.S.

Rodriguez finds Wambach and she somehow puts it over the crossbar from six yards out. The U.S. is buzzing now, a goal is coming soon if they keep this up.

Get it girl, Cheney scores in the 54th minute on a header from Wambach's cross. 1-0 U.S., well deserved and pretty finish. Nice job by Wambach to cut it back (leaving the defender flat-footed) and great service to Cheney.

First career World Cup goal for Cheney.

And North Korea hits the crossbar with a shot. I guess they're not going to roll over even though they're down 1-0 now.

O'Reilly volleys wide.

Wambach takes a rough challenge but appears to be OK. They need her to be healthy. A header off the ensuing free kick goes off a North Korean head for a U.S. corner.

Christie Rampone has 235 career appearances for the U.S., the most of anybody in the 2011 Women's World Cup.

Wambach gets a header from in close that goes off the crossbar. Should have been in, the North Korean goalkeeper got a piece of it.

The announcers keep complaining about the heat. It can't be all that bad in Germany.

North Korea makes its second substitution.

Fourth U.S. corner is complete garbage, into the side of the netting. Even Landon Donovan hasn't hit one that bad (as far as I can remember).

Another goal would be nice for the U.S., I think it's time for my girl Alex Morgan to come on.

Rodriguez (or A-Rod, shudders) almost snipes a goal, nice save by the North Korean goalkeeper. Goes out for a U.S. corner kick.

75th minute, Alex Morgan in for Rodriguez. Great performance by Rodriguez. Another U.S. corner.

Nice Krieger hit the bar from distance and then Rachel Buehler (2nd ever goal) picks up the loose change and puts it in through a ton of traffic. Huge goal for the U.S., goodnight North Korea. (2-0 U.S.)

Rapinoe in for O'Reilly. Good game for O'Reilly, her work rate was there all game.

The teams trade chances.

The U.S. has never worse than fifth place at the World Cup.

Wambach's shot saved but Rapinoe scores on a 50-50 ball. However, it's called off since the goalkeeper caught it at the same time. No goal but it doesn't really matter in the long run.

Final: U.S. 2 - North Korea 0

Great second half by the U.S., they seemed like a completely different team after a slow first half. They earned this and they're now on top of Group C. That goal by Rapinoe would have been nice for her confidence but I'm sure she'll get over it.

Two pretty goals but they'll need to play a more complete match and also finish better when they meet tougher opposition.

Up next, the U.S. meets Colombia at noon on Saturday.

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2011 Women's World Cup: U.S. vs. North Korea 1st half live blog

Group C action continues (Sweden beat Columbia 1-0 earlier this morning) in Dresden, Germany.

The U.S. gets its 2011 World Cup underway and expectations are high for Pia Sundhage's squad. They struggled in qualifying and haven't won the tournament since 1999 but they have as much talent as anybody.

North Korea is the youngest team in the 16-team field.

Lauren Chaney got the late start and she just had the first real opportunity of the game. Her shot from outside the 18 was easily handled by North Korea's goalkeeper.

The U.S. won in 1991 (the first Women's World Cup) and '99.

Chaney hasn't started since March.

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo (who looks like Fergie of Black Eyed Peas' cousin) is rocking an all purple jersey and shorts combo.

Heather O'Reilly wins the first corner kick of the game, for the U.S. Ugh, the goalkeeper bungles it but the U.S. can't really get a foot on it. North Korea clears it out before the U.S. regains possession but hits a cross right to the goalkeeper.

Carli Lloyd gets free at the top of the box but can't put anything on the shot.

Haha ESPN's Ian Darke talked about the North Korea's men team from last summer's World Cup 2010. The team was publicly humiliated and the coach was sent to work at a building construction site. Fun times, who wants to go to North Korea?

Ouch, Lloyd takes a really scary fall on her back/neck but she seems fine. She went up high for a header but was hit by a North Korean player in the air and landed awkwardly.

North Korea wins its first corner kick but doesn't do anything with it.

Yikes, deflected ball by the U.S. almost leaves it on the doorstep for North Korea.

Wow that's creepy, the U.S. women's team is the oldest at the 2011 World Cup (average age 27 years, 9 months which is almost exactly my age).

Another slippery play by the North Korea goalkeeper leads to a U.S. corner. Looking like the U.S. men, they don't do anything with it.

Ali Krieger is the only U.S. player that doesn't compete in the WPS. She plays in Germany.

Chaney gets another good chance but the puts it right at Myong-Hui (3 shutouts in the Asian Cup).

Solo with a nice save on the 16-year-old North Korean star. Corner kick for North Korea.

Lloyd with another chance, right at Myong-Hui. Lloyd and Chaney are getting loose, Wambach has been pretty invisible so far in the first half which is not good for the U.S.

Holy crap, North Korea played a slight cross along the goal line and Solo completely whiffed. Luckily for the U.S., nobody connected for North Korea.

10 of North Korea's players are teenagers. Who's their coach, Justin Bieber?

Amy Rodriguez got free but her shot was blocked by a North Korean defender. It could have possibly gone in, good chance.

The U.S. has been held scoreless three times in first halves during group play, twice against North Korea.

Yikes, this is like watching the U.S. men's team. The women's backline is leaky and almost cost them a goal there, Solo had to come up big.

Nice counterattack by Rodriguez but she couldn't find Wambach who was tightly marked.

Damn, I was just thinking that Rodriguez was pretty cute and they said she's getting married soon along with O'Reilly (what a shame).

Lloyd hits a nice cross of a free kick but nobody on the U.S. can touch it. If they redirected it, would have been 1-0.

North Korea takes a long shot from outside the box that goes wide.

Halftime: U.S. 0 - North Korea 0

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ESPN's coverage of 2011 Women's World Cup gets some needed U.S. flavor

The 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany kicks off in just over a month and fans of the U.S. got some great news today about the ESPN broadcasts.

Former U.S. stars Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry and their head coach Tony DiCicco will join ESPN in the studio as analysts all throughout the tournament.

Chastain and Scurry were members of the 1999 U.S. team that won the World Cup, and DiCicco was its coach. Chastain provided the signature moment of the tournament, ripping off her jersey in celebration after she scored the winning penalty kick in the final against China at the Rose Bowl.

The Americans have not won the World Cup since 1999.

All 32 games of the three-week tournament in Germany will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN2. The tournament begins June 26.

Without having heard any of them talk about soccer, I can already guarantee that they'll all be better than Alexi Lalas.

Always looking for an excuse to look up Heather Mitts on Google images: U.S. women get tough draw in 2011 World Cup

I was tempted to blog about it over the weekend but I thought it wasn't worthy since the U.S. women's national team has higher expectations than simply qualifying for a major tournament.

Being forced to beat Italy in a home and home series for the last spot in the 2011 Women's World Cup (in Germany) isn't exactly the way you want to get in there but they won 2-0 on aggregate so let's move on.

The draw was held today and no surprise, the top-ranked Americans have a tough road ahead with Sweden (No. 4), North Korea (No. 6) and Colombia.

"It's good because it's a very strong group. That's the best thing that could happen to us,'' U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said Monday from the draw in Frankfurt, Germany. "That will be inspiring for us, the fact we're playing high-ranked teams like Sweden and North Korea and a new team Colombia, which will be so enthusiastic going into the World Cup.''

The U.S. opens with North Korea on June 28 against North Korea. It's the fourth straight time the two teams have met in the group stage. The U.S. won 3-0 in 1999 and 2003 but tied 2-2 in 2007.

They meet newcomer Colombia on July 2 then wrap up the group play with a match against Sweden on July 6.

The Americans cannot play Germany until at least the semifinals. The Germans beat the U.S. 3-0 in the 2003 semis but the Americans are 5-0-2 against the world's No. 2 team since, including a 3-2 victory in the Algarve Cup final this year.

I can't say we'll have much about the Women's World Cup 2011 before next summer but it's a good bet that once the men's domestic seasons and Champions League have concluded in the spring, we'll start to think about this event.