June 26, 2015

U.S. Defeats China, Advances to Women's World Cup Semifinals: The U.S. women's soccer team defeated China 1-0 Friday night, advancing to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup in Canada. The Americans were in solid control for most of the match but went into the half in a scoreless tie. In the 51st minute, Carli Lloyd scored on a header with a terrific pass from Julie Johnson near midfield. The U.S. will face Germany, which defeated France 5-4 on penalty kicks after being tied 1-1.

posted by rcade to soccer at 11:02 PM - 6 comments

That was the first game I've seen them play since the Australia game where I thought they looked like a title contender. Would be nice to score a couple more goals, but they've been impenetrable defensively.

posted by TheQatarian at 11:45 PM on June 26, 2015

That was the quarterfinals. They advanced to the semis.

So glad Ellis finally freed the Irish. First time all tournament I was optimistic about the starting 11.

posted by goddam at 12:24 AM on June 27, 2015

posted by rcade at 12:41 AM on June 27, 2015

great cap, rcade

posted by cixelsyd at 01:31 AM on June 27, 2015

Was at the game and though they weren't regularly pressed, the U.S. really cleaned up a lot of their issues defensively this game. They also generated a lot of pace considering two of their better offensive players were on the sidelines.

The Chinese midfielders continually fell for the same U.S. trap where they'd show a seemingly open Chinese forward only to take it away a second before the pass was made. I doubt the Germans will be so formulaic, but that was the first complete performance they put in so far.

posted by dfleming at 08:46 AM on June 27, 2015

Yesterday's US team could hang in there with yesterday's first half German team.

I question the subbing off of both Thomis and Delie. And the order of PK's for France, where you have Lavogez with all of a dozen caps or so taking the 5th shot instead of the captain or an older player like Necib.

US is fortunate to be facing a team that just went through extra time and PK's. As the old Tarzan and Carradine/Kung Fu saying goes: "If after a journey of a thousand miles you meet an opponent, of what must you be sure? That the journey was theirs."

Germany will need to recover as best they can. US team fitness remains a strength and was not overly taxed yesterday.

posted by beaverboard at 09:19 AM on June 27, 2015

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