Just three days after some classic semi-final matches the 2012 London Olympic Soccer matches brought us a great day of soccer. No match was better than the Gold Medal match which was a rematch of the 2011 Women's World Cup Final between the United States and Japan.
In a match where for three days the United States team leaders thought of redemption from just over a year ago. Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, and others finally got that chance and took it in full swing. After 92 great minutes in a soccer match Pia Sundhage with help from two wonderful goals by Carli Lloyd the United States won their third straight women's soccer gold medal.
As the game started in Wembley stadium the excitement took place quickly. In the eighth minute of play Alex Morgan crossed it into the header of Carli Lloyd for the first goal of the game. After scoring so quickly the United States found themselves quickly on the defense. Japan who is masterful on set pieces had many opportunities not only to tie, but to take the lead. Although a hard decision by the referee not calling a handball for a penalty kick in the first half had team USA leading after 45 minutes of play. As we got into the second half of play Hope Solo who continued to show why she is the best women's goalkeeper in the world with a great one hand off the crossbar save in the first half had some great help from her defense in the second half. Then in the 53rd minute Carli Lloyd once again delivers the game winning goal in her second Olympic Gold Medal winning match. Though Japan did find a way to make truly interesting with a goal in the 63rd minute of play. Though the Americans would step up defensively except for one moment of miscue by Rampone who almost handed the Japanese the tying goal though once again Hope Solo showed her brilliance and saved the day again.
In front of a record setting crowd of 80,203 people in attendance for a women's soccer match in Olympic history the United States pulled out the win. The thoughts of redemption were fulfilled against Japan. This match was one for the greats. It was 92 minutes of fantastic soccer and inspiration to many women out there to continue their dreams of playing professional soccer. Japan who filled their eyes of tears and kept their heads high on the medal podium today are still the team to beat in the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada. With no professional women's soccer league we must now wait to watch the brilliance of Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, and the rest of the stars in London for the US to compete in the World Cup qualifying matches and the World Cup in Canada in 2015.
Congratulations to the United States of America on winning the gold! Now off to the 2015 World Cup in Canada the wait shall be a long one indeed.
