Fourth-Place Medal, a Yahoo! Sports blog covering the Summer Olympics in Beijing

Fourth-Place Medal

Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:49 am EDT

U.S. women golden in soccer

By Chris Chase

With the way the day has been going for the Americans at the Olympics, it stood to reason that the U.S. women's soccer team would accumulate multiple red cards, have a goalie fiasco and collectively spike itself in tonight's gold medal match against Brazil. Instead, the U.S. women capped a miserable American day in Beijing with a thrilling 1-0 victory in extra time, successfully defending their gold from Athens. 

The U.S. took the lead in the 105th minute on a crossing shot from Carli Lloyd, but had to withstand multiple scoring opportunities from the Brazilians in the game's closing minutes. Goalie Hope Solo, who was booted off the team following her infamous outburst after getting pulled in the 2007 World Cup semifinals, was brilliant in goal for the Americans. She had to contend with Brazil's phenom, Marta, who was so dominant that I actually had to look at the Brazilian roster to make sure there weren't two women named Marta on the team.

It was a successful return visit to China for the U.S. women, who lost to this same Brazilian team last year in the game that produced the Hope Solo controversy. It also ended a disappointing day for American athletes on a high note.

Photo via Getty Images

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62 Comments

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  1. redreturn 08
    1. Posted by redreturn 08 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

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    Too bad our track team doesn't have the quality coaching our other olympic teams have- like women's soccer!
  2. Mr Wiggles
    2. Posted by Mr Wiggles Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:44 pm EDT

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    YES!!!!!!!!!!! no baton dropping here!
  3. Popsicle
    3. Posted by Popsicle Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    Really didn't think smog was an issue til I saw beach volleyball last night. May-Walsh looked like she was gonna choke up a lung, coughing everytime she was on camera.
  4. Brian S (brianguy)
    4. Posted by Brian S (brianguy) Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    "May-Walsh looked like she was gonna choke up a lung, coughing everytime she was on camera."
    yeah that was pretty bad... I think you mean Walsh. May is the other one. there's no hypenation :-)
  5. Brian S (brianguy)
    5. Posted by Brian S (brianguy) Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    "Too bad our track team doesn't have the quality coaching our other olympic teams have- like women's soccer!"
    agreed... US track is having a terrible olympics. even if the Jamaicans are so dominant in the sprints, there's no reason for stupid stuff like dropping batons and falling over hurdles.
  6. jdhardy
    6. Posted by jdhardy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    Brianna who? Hope Solo did what she knew she could do and shutout the Brazilians.
  7. jdhardy
    7. Posted by jdhardy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    Brianna who? Hope Solo did what she knew she could do and shutout the Brazilians.
  8. Candy A
    8. Posted by Candy A Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    They played as a real team, they used amazing techniques to won this game. Brazil’s team needs to work out a little bit more besides they played really good too, but the American team worked really hard this pas year to win this game because they lost to the same exactly team last year.
    Candy Outsourcing In Call Center
  9. Eric E
    9. Posted by Eric E Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    Holy cow! Aren't the Europeans supposed to win this one?!?! Great job!
  10. Nigel
    10. Posted by Nigel Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    It was great for the US women to win that soccer game. I think a lot of people will remember the US team being upset in the softball final though.
    Heading into the Olympics, my 3 sure gold medal locks were the USA men's basketball team, Misty May and Kerry Walsh, and the US Softball team.
  11. Bill
    11. Posted by Bill Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    i think 5 points for gold, 3 points for silver, 1 points for bronze is more reasonable.
    otherwise we should consider 2 points for forth and 1 point for fifth.
  12. Rush
    12. Posted by Rush Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    Gold is always good, smog is never good...
  13. Jose C
    13. Posted by Jose C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

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    unfair...
  14. Nigel
    14. Posted by Nigel Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    This piece of Gossip was in the New York Daily News.
    "Which two perky Olympian teammates are really bitter rivals? One spiked the other's protein shake with laxatives before a big competition, but her plan backfired when her nemesis not only powered through the competition but beat her so-called friend anyway."
    The things some do to win gold medals.
  15. Team USA
    15. Posted by Team USA Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    It was good game. Good job!
    Chris Chase is hopeless, he can't stop b!tching even if we won - "With the way the day has been going for the Americans at the Olympics, it stood to reason that the U.S. women's soccer team would accumulate multiple red cards..." Mr. Barbie, you really need to stop your whining, it leaves a bad taste for all of us with your stupid @ss attitude.
  16. Sarah from Tosa
    16. Posted by Sarah from Tosa Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:04 pm EDT

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    I can't believe once again there is no soccer shown on NBC olympics ... had to watch the live stream on my computer. THEN the cheating ref couldn't call one dirty play after another. The Brazilians were out for blood only- not actual play. The Brazil team did handle the ball well, but when their bad acting didn't work they tried to permanently mame and the center ref seemed to turn a blind eye. I actually love watching this sport, but with people that PLAY the sport ... not a bunch of whiny, blood hungry cheaters!
  17. johninfairhaven
    17. Posted by johninfairhaven Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    I certainly was a big day for the US women. Silver in baseball and water polo. But the highlight of these olympics has to be the return of the winning ways of US Women soccer. Great job ladies.
  18. Jay Mac
    18. Posted by Jay Mac Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    Those Chicks are HOT and TALENTED......I just wish the sport was played in the buff.
  19. xxx
    19. Posted by xxx Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

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    Disaster: U.S. relay teams drop batons
    http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Disaster-U-S-relay-teams-drop-batons?urn=oly,102446
  20. Team USA
    20. Posted by Team USA Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    Boycott Yahoo Blog until Yang fires Chris Chase
  21. Fla Heeb
    21. Posted by Fla Heeb Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

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    Women of the U.S. Soccer Team, once again, you've made us proud! After watching you lose to Brasil in last year's World Cup, I thought Marta would be running circles around you all! However, you held up and scored when it counted. Although that break away at the end of regulation should've won it! Great goalkeeping on both ends... You gave us quite a show! Keep it up through London girls!
  22. sim
    22. Posted by sim Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Man, Hope was totally right about last year and she proved it today. Everyone pretty much knew that she should've been in the game (except for that crappy coach) last year, and if she was, I have no doubt they would have won the world championships along with these olympics. Great job Hope! All that anger and frustration finally released!
  23. Rush
    23. Posted by Rush Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    Swimfan who the heck spiked somone's protein shake with laxatives??!! Thats low, and I'll admit I've been tricked into drinking laxatives...not fun...
  24. Rush
    24. Posted by Rush Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    ...gold is not worth THAT much...what happened to comraderie, honor, sportsmanship, and most importantly unity...
  25. Nadir
    25. Posted by Nadir Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    Way to go USA Soccer....proud proud..proud...

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