Disaster: U.S. Routed by Brazil

Own Goal, Red Card Haunt Americans

September 27, 2007

HANGZHOU, China -- The United States' goalkeeping switch didn't work, but not much else did either in the Americans 4-0 loss to Brazil Thursday -- a disaster that ended both their bid for a third Women's World Cup and their 51-game unbeaten streak.

Goalkeeper flip-flopping was only part of the problem for the United States. The Americans allowed an own goal off a corner kick and were forced to play 10-on-11 after Shannon Boxx was whistled for her second yellow card on a very debatable foul call just before halftime.

Brazil's Marta scored twice, once in the first half and once in the second. At one point the reigning FIFA Women?s Player of the Year seemingly beat the entire U.S. defense before firing a left-footed laser into the net.

Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly managed to get one of the United States' few chances Thursday.

In the 20th minute, Brazil’s Formiga sent a corner kick that bounced just short of the U.S. goal. Leslie Osborne, trying to head the ball behind, instead directed it right into her own net between Lori Chalupny and goalie Briana Scurry, who head coach Greg Ryan picked to start in place of Hope Solo just two days prior.

Solo had started the first four games of the World Cup, allowing two goals in the Americans’ 2-2 opening match tie with North Korea, but keeping a clean sheet in the three games after, a scoreless streak that ran just over 300 minutes. Scurry hadn’t played since winning a June exhibition match against Brazil, but Ryan elected to go with the veteran based on her previous play against the Brazilians.

Marta made sure Scurry couldn’t settle in after the own goal, potting a strike to the left of the U.S. keeper just seven minutes later to put Brazil up, 2-0. On the play, Marta dribbled through about six U.S. defenders before uncorking a left-footed blast that hit off the hand of a diving Scurry before finding the back of the net.

Just before the half, Boxx was called for a phantom foul that resulted in her second yellow card, forcing the U.S. to play down a player in the second half already down 2-0.

With a disadvantage in numbers and a frantic desire to get on the scoreboard, the United States defense was left exposed throughout the second frame.

Brazil’s Cristiane made the Americans pay after she beat Scurry one-on-one in the 56th minute to increase the lead to 3-0.

Kristine Lilly had a chance in the 63rd minute, but her close-range shot was stopped by Andreia.

Brazil and Marta added the final goal in the 79th minute when the international sensation single-handedly beat two defenders and Scurry for her second goal of the match and the fourth for the Brazilians.

Brazil outshot the U.S. 18-7 in the match, with the U.S. managing just two shots in the first half. The U.S. didn’t have many chances outside of Lilly’s bid. Abby Wambach, coming off a huge game against England and a strong tournament in general, was most invisible.

Brazil advances to their first-ever Women's World Cup final, where they will face Germany on Sunday in Shanghai. The U.S. will play Norway in the Third Place Match on Sunday at 5 p.m. local, 4:55 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

Return from Disaster: U.S. Routed by Brazil to US National Teams

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