Women’s Update: USA 1-Italy 0

November 20th, 2010 | by: Paul | Comments Off

Today, the USA Women beat Italy, making a crucial step towards the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In true USA fashion, the winning goal came late in the match and was scored by a bright young National teamer. Today’s match was the first match of a two-leg playoff to determine which team will be going to the 2011 World Cup. Let’s review.

Unlike the men’s team, the U.S. women are the top-ranked team in the sport. Had it not been for an upset at the hands of Mexico, this match would never even have needed to be played.

Still, being the number one team gave the Americans an obvious advantage, and the whole match they looked stronger. However, despite outshooting the 11th-ranked Italians 19 to 6, Team USA could not manage a goal until very, very late.

Enter Alex Morgan: the 21 year-old came on as a sub in the 85th minute. The Americans had been attacking furiously for the better part of the second half but, again, couldn’t manage a breakthrough. Then, Abby Wambach flicked a long pass on to the young striker, who was able to slot home from only a few yards out.

Today’s victory means that not only have the U.S. won the match, but will be returning back to the United States for the second leg with an away goal in their favor. Still, one has to worry a bit about the USA ladies’ play of late. Hopefully home-field advantage will mean a true victory rather than last-minute magic. While the ladies seem in good position to make the World Cup, they must dig deep and start playing like the top-ranked team that they are.

Leg two will be played at Chicago Fire’s Toyota Park on November 27.

Sorry if this is short, but I was not able to watch the match and, honestly, don’t know much about the USA ladies. Hopefully the other bloggers here will start activity once again (I’m sure at least one of them has more knowledge of this subject than I) but I will try to research the USA Women’s team a bit and possibly watch the second leg!