Oh, my my...US Women 0-4 Loss to Brazil

So many expectations and hopes were dashed today in the Women's World Cup 2007 in China. Well at least my hopes and expectations were not met...there seems to be a shortage of people rooting for the US these days.

If you were not aware, Women's World Cup soccer is being played in China. The 2nd semi-final match was held today between US and Brazil. Germany defeated Norway in the 1st semi-final yesterday so it will be Germany-Brazil in the finals.

As with any good soccer tournament, controversy reigned. It started the day before the US match when the US coach (called manager elsewhere in the world), Greg Ryan, picked Briana Scurry instead of Hope Solo to be the keeper. Briana hasn't played a game in a very long time and Hope has been the coach's keeper of choice for nearly 54 games. Coach Ryan's rationale was that Brianna has a better record (12-0 with eight shut outs) against Brazil. In addition, Solo did not do so well in the opening match against North Korea. It was a brave move but alas there was no joy. Briana did not play all that well and Hope had the "see I told you so pout" on the side line all game long. The team chemistry definitely did not look well mixed. But still the keeper change was a brave move and one the coach has stood behind. Let the pundits and arm chair captains throw insults and abuse at Coach Ryan.

It is so funny how things shake out. If the US had dominated Brazil and won, the coach would have looked like a pure genius. There is a very fine line that sometimes separate the great from the failures. Think about it. Babe Ruth would have have looked like an idiot if he had struck out after pointing to where he is going to hit the next ball during the 1932 World Series. But instead, he is a celebrated hero for making it happen. Misbah-ul-Haq during the very recent 20/20 Cricket World Cup would have been a hero had he succeeded hitting a "6" with that weird scoop backwards stroke. But instead he is vilified for taking that chance and losing the game for Pakistan (go India). Great ones take chances and are called great because the chance succeeds. Greg Ryan will not be called a great one. It is unfortunate considering his amazing winning record with the team.

I also find it comical how all the US haters are coming out of the wood works and saying US soccer is now dead -- for under performing in a tournament. Read the many blogs out there if you don't believe me. Do they realize the sheer quantity and quality of players coming up from the youth soccer system? No, they do not. Do they realize the US has more youth in soccer then any other country in the world? No, they do not. Brazil has beaten the US only once in the last 22 matches and this victory means that US soccer is dead? Get real people. It must be wishful thinking. They said the same thing after the last wave of great US women soccer players retired (Mia Hamm, Judy Foudy, etc.).

But, I don't want to take anything way from Brazil. The Brazilians played beautifully and demonstrated why Brazil should be feared. They played amazing defense (the prior major weakness for Brazil) and they played as a team. Individual performance had the true Brazilian flare. I am going to love watching Marta play hopefully for a very long time. She is only 21 years old and already has more goals in the World Cup then Mia Hamm had in all of her games.

So it is time for US soccer to re-tool, re-focus, and probably find another coach (which I think is the wrong answer). Chin up girls.