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U.S.-Brazil gold-medal game commentary
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I'm going to do the same as last night - post a recap of the first half at halftime and do a running commentary the second half. In the meantime, feel free to use the commentary section.
First Half...
Both teams are feeling each other out so far in the first half, unwilling to take too many chances. Marta was relentless in pressuring the defense, but the U.S. hung together and keeper Hope Solo read the longs balls correctly and was able to make the saves. Marta could have done better on the right side after beating two U.S. defenders, but couldn't put it on net. On offense, well, there wasn't much to speak of for the Americans. Brazil is pressing up more, so there is the opportunity to counter a bit more, but the U.S. continually played long balls that had little chance of success and simply gave the ball back over to the Brazilians. The U.S. forwards are putting some pressure on the ball when the Brazil defenders have it, but again, no one is making many mistakes.
Cristiane is playing well and running at defenders, and it seems like Marta is due to force a big mistake soon - although I wonder if she's used up too much energy in the first half. If the U.S. is to score, they need to utilize the counterattack with a more possession-oriented approach. They need to give Brazil a reason to worry on defense and actually test the keeper, Barbara.
Second Half....
47th minute- Cristiane is carrying the ball well, she's much stronger with the ball than some of the U.S. defenders, hard to dispossess
49th minute- U.S. corner, sailed over everything
52nd minute- Amy Rodriguez can't get to ball near top of box
53rd minute- corner Brazil, blocked, Marta gets the ball, dances on the endline and hits a hard cross into the box, but Hope Solo gathers it nicely
55th minute- Barbara goes WAY outto get a ball, dangerous. U.S. still going for through balls rather than the buildup possession, but better than the first half
59th minute- Heather Mitts, who has a yellow from the first half, is being a bit reckless at times with her decisions/tackles
62nd minute- Brazil, two corners, both dangerous looking but cleared out. Marta takes ball and shoots high over goal
63rd- Mitts another clumsy challenge not even near the ball inthe air. She needs to be careful. Free kick from the foul on the top-left of the box. Shot stopped by the wall.
69th minute- U.S. is incredibly indecisive on offense when they have chances to push up.
71st minute- Lauren Cheney for Lindsay Tarpley
72nd- Marta has the best opportunity today after beating two U.S. defenders, rocket shot from close range, but Solo parries it with her left hand. That's that pressure opportunity I was talking about from Marta. Will more come?
76th minute- Brazil looks exhausted. Is the U.S. more fit and can they use it to their advantage.
78th minute- The U.S. just won't wait for a possession-oriented chance. Now they're letting loose from well outside their range when Brazil looks tired, letting them off the hook.
85th minute- These teams are spent, if we get extra time, it coul be ugly. Barbara come sout of goal way out in the box, pushes it out of box, then kicks it out for corner.
86th minute- Barbara nice save on U.S.'s best shot of the game
89th minute- Dangerous free kick.
90th minute- Rodriguez U.S. missed breakaway, tried to chip the goalie instead of running at her. Wow. She'll be reliving that one again.
Stoppage time- Corner Brazil, 92nd minute, no good, extra time.
94th minute- Rodriguez fails to see an open Cheney streaking into the box. U.S. getting more opps now that legs of Brazil are tired
GOAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLl
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL USA
Beautiful build-up with multiple touch passes in a row. Carli Lloyd gets the ball just into the box on the left side and unleahes a ferocious shot into the right corner with her left foot. 1-0 USA.
102nd minute- Marta gets ball with space in the middle, close range shot is blocked by a defender's tackle. Then another Marta shot blocked out. Dangerous chance.
110th minute-Three Brazil corners, second one dangerous but headed away
113-th minute- Marta is going 1 v. 11, and doing pretty wel. Brazil just missing opportunities
114th minute- Solo freezes on Marta free kick, INCHES wide
115th minte- Brazil corner
117th minute- Lloyd dribbles to the goal, hits the post on the right, so close to ending the game
119th minute - U.S. tired, near whiff on wide open shot, just a minute and a half to the gold if they can hold on
120th minute- Brazil corner, Cox for Rodrigueq, Solo gets a fist on the corner despite a should-have-been foul, Brazil hits side netting
Extra Time- Marta puts in a great cross, Solo dives out to knock it just away. Then Christiane misses header in the box.
TIME. USA win gold medal.
