Women's Hoops Blog

Inane commentary on a game that deserves far better


Tuesday, August 24, 2004

The soccer team pulled off a pretty big upset yesterday, beating Germany and advancing to the championship game. Team USA came in as the underdog, but they played one of their best games of the last few years and controlled the entire game. Germany was lucky to keep it so close.

19-year-old Heather O'Reilly was the hero, scoring an overtime goal to give the U.S. the victory.

The assist on the game winner went to Mia Hamm, Heather's childhood hero. "I remember being a 14-year-old at Giants Stadium, screaming my head off for Mia,'' said O'Reilly. "I wore No. 9, just like Mia. Every year, there would be something in my stocking at Christmas involving the U.S. soccer team.''

"It's flattering,'' Hamm said. "I see Heather's love of the game and I know what kind of person she is. Someone like her inspires us old bags a lot. When we're in the over-30 hour in the training room, we know Heather is sleeping in."

The win gives Mia and company, playing for the last time with the national team, a chance to go out on top.

It's unclear whether captain Julie Foudy will be able to play in the finals. After twisting her ankle yesterday, she had to watch the second half from the bench. "I wanted to vomit," she said.

The championship is Thursday against Brazil. We beat Brazil earlier in pool play, and that game's rough play caused some bad blood. It won't be any picnic.