PORTLAND Ore., Oct 05, 2003 -- In consecutive hard-fought semifinals,
two European sides served notice that North America is no longer the center
of the women's soccer world. The Germans methodically dismantled the defending
champions 3-0 in front of the packed home stands, and the upstart Canadians
scored early but eventually fell to Sweden 2-1. The European victories ensure
that both the Olympic (won by Norway in 2000) and World Cup trophies will
reside overseas.
USA 0, Germany 3
The shirts will remain on, at least for this World Cup.
In losing to the German juggernaut 3-0, at least one
task was simplified: what to do to top Brandi Chastain's joyous winning
celebration in the '99 Cup. And all is not lost: the desirable USA-Canada
matchup materialized as many predicted.
But they will play Saturday, not Sunday, because Canada
lost too, and for third-place badges, not the golden Women's World Cup trophy.
That is the privilege of Germany and Sweden, who served notice in two hard
fought matches Sunday in Portland, that perhaps signal the transfer of power
in womens soccer to Europe.
So what happened Sunday? How did USA lose so badly 3-0,
and with it the chance to retain at least one world championship (the Olympic
crown currently belongs to Norway).
Here are the top reasons:
1) Germany's defense was unstoppable. The US did not fail for lack
of shooting. But goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg stopped them all. She was in
such form she would have stopped a rifle bullet. The German defense was well
versed on stopping the set-play and none entered the net.
2) Odd USA lineup. To not start Tiffeny Milbrett in a full house in
Portland Oregon was curious. The energy the crowd generated at her 75th
minute entrance lit the city. Beforehand, there was curiosity in the stands
of some kind of falling out. Apparently the idea was to field half the old
guard, and half the brightest of the newcomers, especially Shannon Boxx and
Abby Wambach, new stars who had shined so brightly in the first stages. But
the old guard is well, getting old. It has been pointed out many times that
the US fielded the oldest team in the World Cup. Ominously, most have stated
they will continue to play until after the 2004 Olympics.
3) Distractions. The pressure on the USA to repeat was enormous. They
were dogged by media every step of the way. Some players liked it, some only
tolerated it, and either way it was a huge distraction. The bus cam didn't
help either. And during the game, the oddest distraction of all: a streaker,
bearing a flag stating "Adidas Kills Kangaroos," in the middle of a World
Cup semifinal.
Is women's soccer
finished?
The loss was not just a game, or even a World Cup. It
may finally kill the last hopes of restarting the women's league. Many fans
were counting on 1999-level enthusiasm to rouse sponsorship for the league.
For that to happen now, it would take a concerted effort. The probability
the league will be resurrected in a recognizable form is low. It is more
likely that there will be no league at all, and a dearth of high-level women's
soccer in the US not just for the next four years, but until 2015, which
is the next chance the US will host a Women's World Cup.
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Canada 1, Sweden 2
Canada's fantastic run came up short against the more experienced
Sweden side. After having defeated China 1-0 in the quarters, they scored
early against Sweden but were eventually overtaken and lose 2-1. Still, their
semifinal finish guarantees an increase in FIFA ranking from their current
12. |