While it was a lot more suspenseful then the United States team would have liked, we did a nice job knocking off a competitive Canada side 2-1 in overtime this morning. Considering that the US held a 17-7 advantage in shots, better finishing could have made it an easier game but who's complaining when one more win in the tournament guarantees us a medal. Truth is, the United States had much better of the play and except for the bad giveaway that led to the brilliant strike by Christine Sinclair, Canada really didn't threaten too often.
The weather delay definitely helped the Canadians. The US took control of the momentum early with the early goal by Hucles, but it couldn't press Canada for long because of the break in play - essentially an extended timeout for Canada. In addition, any time a team has to suddenly insert its backup goalkeeper into the game, the other team has the chance to take advantage of the unexpected lineup change. With the break, Karina LeBlanc was better able to get into the proper frame of mind psychologically and her teammates were able to better prepare to play in front of a different keeper.
On that note, congratulations to Karina - an adopted New Jersey resident by way of her position as assistant coach for the women's team at Rutgers University and also a guest blogger here on SkyBlueSoccer.com. She stepped into an incredibly tough situation and did a great job. She made a number of strong saves to keep Canada in the game and there really wasn't much she could have done on the winning goal by Kai except wonder what the heck her backs were doing when the ball was whipped toward the far bar by Boxx. Here's my vote to have Karina on our team next season when WPS kicks off.
While the good news for the United States team is that it advanced to the semifinals, the bad news is that this was the last game for Canada coach Even Pellerud, whose prehistoric long-ball tactics have kept that team down for too long. Canada has some talented players in its lineup and a world-class striker in Sinclair - if they get a capable coach to replace Pellerud, then the United States will have a very hard time keeping up its unbeaten run against the neighbors from the north.
Now on to Japan - a team that the US beat 1-0 in the opening round of the tournament. While the US has to be extremely happy that it has no part in the Brazil or Germany until the final, it can't be too happy about having to face Japan for a second time. The Nadeshiko bounced back from its loss to the US by hammering Norway 5-1 in the final game of the group stage and then followed that up with a strong effort against China. Now Japan gets a second chance to make adjustments and have another try at the US. The US should still prevail and earn a shot at the gold medal against the winner of that big-time battle on the other side of the bracket.
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