U.S. Women Lose to Brazil
Top–ranked team will play for third place on Sunday in Women’s World Cup
United States midfielder Leslie Osborne (left) deflects the ball into her team's goal during the semifinal match against Brazil, Thurday Sept. 27, 2007. (Photo: ©Greg Baker/AP Images)
Just about everything that could go wrong did for the U.S. Women's National Team in its stunning and embarrassing 4–0 loss to Brazil. The U.S. lost its semifinal match and the chance to play in the Women's World Cup championship game this weekend.
U.S. player Leslie Osborne, trying to clear a corner kick, mistakenly headed the ball into her own net in the 20th minute.
Adding to the team’s troubles, key midfielder Shannon Boxx was tossed from the game in the final minute of the first half after committing a hard foul.
In a surprise move, U.S. coach Greg Ryan decided the day before the game to switch goalkeepers. He replaced Hope Solo, who hasn't given up a goal in 300 minutes of play, with veteran Briana Scurry. Although Scurry is a top player with a lot of wins, she hasn’t played a full game in more than three months.
Ryan, who will be under fire by the media for his controversial move, said he did not have any regrets about the goalkeeper switch. "I think Bri played a great game," he said.
A Surprising Loss
"It’s heartbreaking," U.S. striker Abby Wambach said. "It’s a hard loss to swallow."
Team captain Kristine Lilly was devastated. The U.S. entered the match having lost only once to the Brazilians in 22 previous matches (19–1–2). "It hurts. It just hurts," said Lilly, who is playing in her fifth and final World Cup. The defeat snapped a 51–game streak of no losses for the women’s national team that went back to a 3–1 setback to Denmark on November 6, 2004.
Moreover, the match could very well signal the end of American dominance at the international level and the beginning of a Brazilian golden era. The American national women’s team has won two world championships and two Olympic gold medals.
For the second consecutive Women’s World Cup, the U.S. will play in the third-place match, against Norway. That game is scheduled for Sunday and can be viewed live on ESPN2 at 4:55 a.m. Eastern time.
Brazil will vie for its first world title against defending champion Germany. That game can be seen live on ESPN2 at 7:55 a.m. Eastern time.
Critical Thinking Question
Read today’s story and answer the following question.
| Do you think Women's soccer is getting more popular in the U.S.? Why or why not? Join a discussion of this question on our bulletin board. | |
- Teacher Store
-
Athlete Biographies
The Teacher Store 
Athlete Biographies
A complete list of the titles in this collection appears below.
$35.00 You save: 30%
Book Collection | Grades 3-5
Grades 3-5 $35.00
- Teacher Store
-
Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers: Sports: Let's Talk Soccer
The Teacher Store 
Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers: Sports: Let's Talk Soccer
These updated easy readers follow a lively format, featuring dynamic full color photographs which appear opposite simple text. Short "chapters" are followed by a glossary, which reinforces vocabulary by listing new words introduced throughout to the reader throughout the text. Included is an index and suggested resources for continued study.
$6.95
Paperback Book | Grades K-2
Grades K-2 $6.95
