American Women to Play for Gold

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The New York Sun

IRAKLION, Greece – The only teenager on the U.S. women’s soccer team gave the old vets a chance to leave with one last gold.


Minutes after missing a wide open net, Heather O’Reilly scored in the ninth minute of overtime yesterday to give the United States a 2-1 victory over World Cup champion Germany and a place in Thursday’s gold-medal game.


Mia Hamm set up the goal with a short cross from the right, pushing back the pass toward a cluster of three players about 6 yards from the net. The 19-year-old O’Reilly, a freshman at North Carolina, somehow got her foot on the ball before defender Ariane Hingst did, pushing a shot to the left of goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg.


The win gives the Fab Five – longstanding U.S. stars Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Brandi Chastain, and Kristine Lilly – a chance to go out as champions in their final tournament together.


The Americans will face Brazil for the gold. Brazil defeated Sweden 1-0 in Patras in the other semifinal on a goal from Pretinha in the 64th minute. Germany will play Sweden for the bronze.


The victory avenges a 3-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup semifinals 11 months ago in Portland, Ore. Germany went on to win the Cup and entered the Olympics ranked no. 1 in the world.


The Americans were unlucky that the game even went to overtime. They dominated Germany most of the match, and the Germans’ tying goal came on a shot from Isabell Bachor that deflected off Fawcett’s hip two minutes into second half injury time.


Then, in overtime, O’Reilly had an open net in front of her after getting past Rottenberg at the top of the penalty box, but she rushed her shot and hit the near post. O’Reilly nearly scored again in the second overtime after a long run with a shot that forced a juggling save by Rottenberg.


Lilly scored her 98th career goal in the 33rd minute – her third goal in as many games.


The New York Sun

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