Women's World Cup USA vs Japan

Anyone who knows me, knows three things I am obsessed with everything England, I love to travel, and I love sports especially soccer or the rest of the world calls football. So today when the USA played in the World Cup finals one would assume I was watching the game, but that was not the case. I was at the airport where I overheard people cheering and doing their oos and aas which is definitely an interesting way to follow a game. It's also funny when the game is over and you see men running to their gate to make sure they make it on time.

One thing for sure was this Women's World Cup final was more eventful than the Men's World Cup final. Both went into overtime and both had number 1 ranked countries in the final. Although for the Men's, Spain was the world number 1 and won, while in Women's, USA was the world number 1 and lost to Japan. Also for Men's World Cup it was one of the most boring drawn out games ever. While with the Women's there were many close shots and it went into penalties unlike the Men's where Iniesta scored the goal in the second overtime.

Overall, one thing about this game gets me excited. People are starting to get more involved with soccer and caring about it. Last year when it was the World Cup more of my friends watched the games than in 2006. More of my friends are coming to me for advice or want to understand the game of soccer. This gets me excited because then when I talk about it with someone they will have some knowledge on the game and players.

So now on to the game. I really wanted to US to win and thought they would pull it through. Earlier this morning there was an article in the New York Times sports section on Abby Wambach and how she has been wanting to win a World Cup. Abby has won a gold medal and has never made it to a World Cup final because the US have lost in the semi-finals the past two times. So I really wanted to US to win for Abby who has done an incredible job with contacting the ball mostly with her head. Besides Abby another stand out star that has come from the team is Hope Solo. Yes, she has had many references to Han but her quick timing got the US to the finals by saving the goals against the Brazil team. Yet this time around it was not for us to win.

If you don't know, the game was tied 1-1 in normal time went into 2-2 in extra time which was two 15 minute halfs. Then we went into penalties where just to put it nicely Abby Wambach was the only one who scored. To be honest it is sad that we lost but when you think of the type of year Japan has had I feel not as terrible that we lost. It's like when the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl after Katrina. It brings a sense of hope and a little warm heart feeling however there was some disappointment felt as well.

Overall, the Women's World Cup was watched by many. Yes, the outcome was not to my liking but I can live with Japan winning considering the year they have had. But the one thing that brings me more hope is the fact that more people are going to be interested in the sport and it will grow in America. Cheers-- USA!!! USA!!! You still did us proud