| Despite the not-so-unexpected lackluster performance | | | | champions succeeded to retain their title. |
| of the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team in Beijing, its | | | | That women's soccer championship match was |
| female counterpart definitely rocked it out and bagged | | | | actually a reply of 2004 finals in Athens, where the U.S. |
| the gold again as they delivered a tight defense | | | | Women's Team also beat Brazil, 2-1, with Abby |
| against Brazil's fearless attacks. | | | | Wambach making the historic goal during overtime. |
| It was Carli Lloyd who made the goal after a thrilling | | | | Women's soccer was incorporated into the U.S. |
| 120 minutes of going to and fro the rain-drenched field | | | | Olympic program in 1996, and since then, the team did |
| and amongst a roaring crowd of 51,612. Lloyd's skillful | | | | not fail to deliver. The Beijing gold is the third for the |
| dribbles and strike permitted her to perfectly land the | | | | team, in addition to their wins in 1996 in Atlanta and |
| ball into the goal just six minutes into overtime, allowing | | | | 2004 in Athens. They took home the silver in 2000 in |
| the Americans to retain their defending crown with a | | | | Sydney. |
| 1-0 victory against their neighbors from the South. | | | | It was, however, not a very smooth journey for the |
| The Brazilians put up a good fight, with the aggressive | | | | U.S. team this year when they lost their first match to |
| attacks of FIFA Women's World Player of the | | | | Norway, 2-0. The Norwegians came in full force and |
| YearMarta and super-soccer-star Christiane. But the | | | | kicked two goals past Solo in the first five minutes of |
| Americans were not about to give up. Their rock-solid | | | | the game. Although the Americans, did their best to |
| defense was a match for the Latinas' skillful offense | | | | create chances in the second half, they were not able |
| and rendered the game scoreless for 90 minutes, and | | | | to bounce back, helping drive Norway into their first |
| had to go on extra time. | | | | win. |
| The favor was leaning toward the Brazilians in the | | | | That was the second defeat for U.S. against |
| overtime, but the Americans pressed forward and | | | | Norway---just their second defeat ever in the |
| never let go of the ball once it got into their possession. | | | | Olympics. It may be recalled that Norway busted the |
| Substitute Lauren Cheney passed the ball to Lloyd, | | | | Americans in 2002 during the finals in Sydney, |
| who kicked it to Amy Rodriguez, who speedily passed | | | | Australia. |
| it back to Lloyd, who made the ball rip beyond Brazilian | | | | Surprise! Surprise! The Olympic opening game |
| goalkeeper Barbara. Much credit should also be given | | | | between the U.S. and Norway is the 44th match of |
| to U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo, who made six saves | | | | the two teams dating back to 1987. Norway racked |
| during the entire game. Her prowess kept her team in | | | | more wins against the U.S. than any other team. The |
| the game. | | | | Americans won 10 games in the rivalry while the |
| It was a good game, an unpredictable one at that. But | | | | Norwegians won 19. |
| like Argentina in the men's division, the defending | | | | |