Solo Road to Redemption

There are only a few events that captivate its audience no matter what the sport is. The Olympics, and the World Cup are the first two that come to my mind. And, in this case, the Women's World Cup. I don't know what it is, there's just something about the patriotism, and the unifying passion of watching your countries' best take on the world's best. It's that goose bump feeling you get when there is no one left at the top, and the rest of the world has to listen to the Star Spangled Banner. That, "Yea, that is right, the best country, best government, best military, and best (insert sport here) in the world! USA!" Sure there is Red Sox Nation, and the Browns Backers, and countless other 'fandoms' around professional sports, but none compare to the 308 million fans known as America! And when the uniform says USA, we are all fans.

There aren't too many times when soccer grabs my attention, let alone women's soccer, but I'll admit the Women's World Cup quarterfinal match between Brazil and the USA had me glued to the tube. I began as a casual watcher, keeping tabs on the game and score, and flipping back and forth between the match and Sportscenter. And then, with about twenty minutes to go in the match, it became must see tv. In a matter of minutes, with the USA Women up a goal, you had an unbelievable touch by one of the best in Brazil's Marta, then a red card in the box, a stopped PK, a truly embarrassing call by the referee, a retried PK, an equalizer, and oh by the way, the USA goes down a woman for the rest of the match? Hook, line, and sinker, I'm in! But there is a hidden story behind the whole last second comeback, and dramatic penalty kick outcome, and it's a story of redemption.

I am no soccer connoisseur, but I know most of the rules, and maybe the most impressive part of the whole situation, to me, was how well the USA kept their cool. In a moment where it would have been completely understandable for that team to lose it, just implode upon pure emotion, and let the extremely questionable calls get to them, they didn't. Instead, they got better! One reason for that might have been goalkeeper Hope Solo who shined the absolute brightest on the highest stage. Both goals that Brazil got past Solo probably shouldn't have happened, and the keeper known for letting her emotions get to her kept them in check this time, and her team fed off that, it seemed. It probably had a lot do with the fact that she stonewalled the first PK Brazil was given after the red card against the US in the box, or it could have been the fiery emotion you could see in her eye after the PK retry was given that resulted in a goal.

For as long as I can remember, US Women's Soccer had one face, Mia Hamm. The all-everything forward from UNC who is still the record holder for goals. But after she, and her generation of stars left the US was searching for someone, anyone to assume that role. And Solo has, despite being shunned by some of the same teammates just four years ago, become the new face of USA women's soccer. In the 2007 Olympics, against the same Brazil team, Solo was benched for the "last generation's" Brianna Scurry, and after losing 4-0 to Brazil that day, Solo berated her coach's decision and teammates play, and in turn exiled herself from her team. So badly they refused to practice with her, and she had to return from the Olympics alone.

She learned the hard way, but she climbed her proverbial Everest, and regained the trust of her teammates the only way she knew how, stopping shots. This time Solo got her shot at Brazil, and she proved, maybe, that she was right all along. And it was only fitting that this match ended with Solo alone, one on one with Brazil's best, to prove that she's the best.

There is still work left to be done to win the World Cup, and after Sunday's win over Brazil anything but winning the tournament would be a let down. As Solo stated after the match, "We are not here to beat Brazil in the quarterfinals. We are here to win the tournament." Two games stand between Women's team USA and immortality, but Sunday, this tale of redemption seemed to be a dish best served, well, Solo.