Olympics '08: U.S. Soccer Women Score Gold

The U.S. Women's soccer team triumphs over Brazil 1-0 in overtime, snaring the gold medal for the third time in four Olympics.

U.S. women will play for soccer gold

By Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

BEIJING -- They are barely recognizable, with a style that is hardly understandable, yet this new U.S. women's soccer team does share one thing with their famous ancestors.

They win Olympic games. They make Olympic finals.

With more fight than finesse, the U.S. team lumbered past Japan in the semifinals at Worker's Stadium on Monday night, 4-2, to reach the Olympic finals for the fourth time in four Olympics.

"I don't think many of us even knew that," said goalkeeper Hope Solo about the American streak. ''We're trying to create our own history."

That will only happen if they are able to beat Brazil in Wednesday's final, a tough task considering the Brazilians overwhelmed defending world champion Germany, 4-1, in the other semifinal.

U.S. women will play for soccer gold....

Kai scores winner in extra time; U.S. women advance

By Beau Dure, USA TODAY

BEIJING — The U.S. attack was as persistent as the Shanghai rain, which forced a delay of more than 90 minutes. Tied 1-1, the women's soccer team kept Canada pinned in its own end throughout the second half.
All the while, Natasha Kai bided her time on the bench. After regulation time ended, Kai got her chance to go in the game.

Eleven minutes later, the substitution paid off. Shannon Boxx dropped an inviting ball into the box, and Kai threw herself forward to meet it and score the winning goal.

And so the USA avoided a potential quagmire and advanced to the semifinals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory Friday.

Kai scores winner in extra time; U.S. women advance....

Nigeria eliminates U.S. men in soccer, 2-1

By Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

An elbow thrown in anger and a header that was just a few inches too high.

That, on Wednesday, was what separated the U.S. men's Olympic soccer team from a place in the tournament quarterfinals and instead put the players and coaches on a flight back home.

A 2-1 loss to Nigeria in front of 48,096 at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing ended American participation in soccer in the Games, at least on the men's side of things. The U.S. women on Friday play Canada in a quarterfinal match.

Nigeria eliminates U.S. men in soccer, 2-1....

Americans let one get away against the Netherlands

By Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Poised on the brink of an unexpected place in the quarterfinals of the Olympic men's soccer tournament, the U.S. looked down, blinked, suffered vertigo and fell.

Instead of a one-goal victory over the Netherlands in Tianjin, China, on Sunday, the Americans came away with a 2-2 tie after giving up a goal with seconds left.

So, while medal favorites Argentina, Brazil and Italy each advanced to the final eight with victories Sunday, the U.S. was left with a decisive third match against Nigeria on Wednesday in Beijing.

The Americans have to either tie or defeat the Nigerians or they will be on the next flight home. Yet they played well enough in the second half Sunday to deserve a spot in the knockout phase, coming back from a goal down to take the lead, only to throw it all away.

It was a cruel lesson learned, and no one took it harder than Coach Peter Nowak.

Americans let one get away against the Netherlands....

US defeats Japan 1-0 on goal by Stuart Holden

By BRIAN TRUSDELL

TIANJIN, China (AP) — Stuart Holden ended the United States' three-game scoring drought with a goal in the second half, giving the Americans a 1-0 victory over Japan on Thursday in the Olympic opener for both.

The Scottish-born Holden struck a loose ball at the top of the penalty area that Japanese goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa was able to slow, but couldn't keep from trickling over the line in the 47th minute.

This was a welcome change for Holden. He hasn't scored for Houston in 16 Major League Soccer games this season but had three goals in the North American SuperLiga.

"It's always a good feeling to get a goal," Holden said. "MLS is on the side right now. It's great to get a goal not only personally, but to get a win."

A victory was critical for both teams with the more heavily favored Dutch and Nigerians yet to play in Group B.

US defeats Japan 1-0 on goal by Stuart Holden....

Poor start dooms USA against Norway

Qinhuangdao, China (Sports Network) - Norway scored two goals in the first five minutes of the game on Wednesday to beat the United States Women's National Team, 2-0 in the Group G opener for both teams at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Both Norway goals were the result of mistakes by the USA defense, with Leni Laursen Kaurin scoring two minutes into the game, and Melissa Wiik adding another two minutes later.

While Norway entered the tournament as a favorite to reach the knockout round, the result was a big surprise considering the United States had beaten the Scandinavian side the last 10 times the team's played, including a pair of 4-0 wins this year.

Poor start dooms USA against Norway....