Soccer Justice is Served

I am one of those individuals who lacks confidence in our country's justice system. Yet at the same time, I strongly believe that justice is eventually served. This is true in all aspects of life.

It includes sports, and based on today's events, the soccer field. I share this after watching one of the most incredible soccer games I have ever seen. The U.S womens soccer team defeated Brazil on penalty kicks in the quarter finals of the World Cup.

The U.S were off to a great start as they scored after just 74 seconds to take a 1-0 lead. Besides some minor opportunities from Brazil, the Americans dominated the first half and took the lead to intermission.

It was the second half and beyond where all the craziness began. About midway through the second half, Brazilian star Marta rushed toward the goal with American defense(wo)man Rachel Buehler battling alongside. The two became tangled and came down hard in the box. Not only was a penalty kick awarded, but Buehler received a red card, and the U.S were now down to 10 players. In my opinion, the penalty kick should have been awarded, though I thought the red card was a bit harsh and un-merited.

The great injustice arrived with the penalty kick itself. A great kick was made, but goalkeeper Hope Solo dove hard to the left and made an incredible save. Momentum back on the U.S. side, right? Wrong! The referee indicated that Solo had moved off the goal line before the kick was made, and allowed a re-kick. This time Marta took the kick and scored, resulting in a tie game.

Was the referee justified? I answer with an adament no. Hope moved slightlty before the kick. However, it appeared that she moved laterally, not forward. Also, many penalty kick saves have been made with far less movement, and they are never called. Now, instead of the U.S. up by one, it is tied.

We now move to extra time. Shortly into the first extra period, Brazil scores. It was a ligitimate goal, a fine one at that by Marta. Things are not looking good for the U.S. To make it worse, Brazil began pulling the stunts which turns off fans from around the world in both the womens and mens game. Things like diving, delaying, etc. In one of the worst cases of bad sportsmanship I have seen, a Brazilian player stayed on the field long enough to require a stretcher. Then, after a minute and a half had gone by and she was off the field, jumps off the stretcher and jogs to the bench, back in the game within seconds.

At this point, even the referee had seen enough. A generous amount of injury time was awarded after the 30 minutes of extra time. The U.S. then drove down the field with their final chance to score. Megan Rapinoe, who had made some fine passes earlier, ran down the left wing. She made a perfect cross, and there was striker Abby Wambach who received the pass, and headed it as perfectly as it was crossed, resulting in the tying goal with seconds left. Justice served! The fact that it was the veteran Wambach, who had come close so many times in previous games but was shut out for the World Cup and never gave up, was even greater justice. But wait! Brazil makes a last second attack, and won a corner kick. In almost all other situations they would have been allowed to take the kick. However, the referee did not allow them to take the kick and signalled the end of time. Justice again!

The penalty kick shootout was as exciting as they always are. Exactly twelve years to the day of the U.S shootout victory to in the Final of 1999, the shootout went exactly the same as that victorious one from back then. The two teams each made their first kick, and the U.S. made their third. Just like 12 years ago, the U.S. 'keeper made a huge save. It went to the 5th U.S. shooter with a chance to win the game. Sure enough, Alex Krieger scores, to give the U.S. an incredible victory.

Justice was served on that soccer field in Germany. At the same time, I witnessed a sports match that I will not soon forget.