USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Americans Win The Gold

Pia Sundhage Parties Hard

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Final Score, USWNT Holds On For 2-1 Win To Capture Gold Medal

It's been just over a year since the United States fell to Japan on penalties in the World Cup final, but they have captured their revenge. For the third consecutive Olympic games, the USWNT have grabbed a gold medal in women's soccer. Japan was excellent for most of the match, but two great goals by the United States earned the Americans a 2-1 victory.

Carli Lloyd was the hero for the USWNT, just like she was in the gold medal match in 2008. Her opening goal came in the 8th minute on an excellent cross by Alex Morgan. The floating ball to the back post appeared to be intended for Abby Wambach, but Lloyd came out of nowhere with a terrific late run into the box and a header into the back of the net to give her team the lead.

Japan had a couple of excellent opportunities to equalize shortly afterwards, but couldn't capitalize. Christie Rampone had to make a late clearance off the line on a shot by Nahomi Kawasumi in the 17th minute, which was followed up less than a minute later by a brilliant Hope Solo save onto the crossbar to deny Yuki Ogimi.

In the 25th minute, Japan had their first of two penalty shots. Tobin Heath stuck out her arm and clearly handled the ball following a free kick, but no penalty was given. Early in the second half, an even more obvious penalty offense was committed by Rachel Buehler, who rugby tackled Saki Kumagai. Incredibly, no penalty was given. Buehler was shaky throughout the match, and was eventually replaced by Becky Sauerbrunn in the 80th minute.

Despite Japan's numerous chances and penalty shouts the United States scored two goals before Japan could manage one. Once again, the finish came from Lloyd. Her first goal was impressive, but her second was truly spectacular and one of the best goals of the tournament. She dribbled her way through multiple defenders and towards the edge of the penalty area, then hit a rocket into the side of the net at the far post.

Eventually, Japan would stop merely coming close to scoring and finally punched the ball into the back of the net. They couldn't do it in a straight-forward manner, however, as the United States nearly dodged another bullet in the 63rd minute. After multiple blocks and a mad scramble, Yuki Ogimi eventually poked home a finish to cut the United States lead and bring Japan into the match.

The United States did not deal with their one-goal lead well in the first half, but Ogimi's goal seemed to be a bit of a wake-up call, and the Americans defended much better in the second half than they did in the first. Japan did have one great opportunity to equalize, but unlike their other chances, it came as the product of a gift and not their spectacular build-up play.

Rampone committed a terrible giveaway in her own end in the 83rd minute, allowing substitute Asuna Tanaka to get through on goal. She attempted to curl a shot around Solo, but the USWNT goalkeeper made a spectacular diving save to preserve the lead.

That would be the last great chance that Japan would produce in the match. Japan played excellent football throughout the Olympic final, but Solo's heroics and a little bit of luck kept the United States from conceding more than once.

For the fourth time, the United States women's soccer team are gold medalists at the Olympics.

You can find all of our previous coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream. For more on the entire world of soccer, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Hope Solo's Massive Save Keeps USA in the Lead

Japan continued to press and the USA continued to reward that tenacity by committing unnecessary fouls in dangerous spots. Despite dangerous free kick after free kick from Miyami being sent in to the box, the USA is holding on with ten minutes left to play.

Rachel Buehler left the match in the 80th minute, replaced by Becky Sauerbrunn. Sauerbrunn brings a solid defensive presence and a pair of fresh legs as the USA looks to close out this game. Carli Lloyd nearly completed her hat trick after Abby Wambach earned a free kick and the USA was able to keep some possession. Lloyd's shot went just over the crossbar.

With seven minutes left, Japan appeared to have their equalizer after a terrible giveway by Rampone allowed Tanaka to break in on Hope Solo. Instead of playing the ball across to her teammate, Tanaka took the shot at the far post and Solo made a tremendous diving save to push the ball just wide. WHAT. A. SAVE.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Japan Nearly Strike Again From Free Kicks

If the USA are going to survive this game, they really need to defense through possession. Japan is simply too good on the attack for the defense to hold up, but instead of taking advantage of when they get the ball, the USA seem to be working too fast. Several times they have taken early shots from distance rather than making another pass and trying to extend their control of the ball.

Rachel Buehler nearly gave the USA back their two-goal advantage in the 68th minute, forcing a tremendous save from Fukumoto. It was a nice response to Japan's goal, but they'll need more responses like that and more of the ball if they hope to hold on to this lead.

Japan got close again after another dangerous free kick. Miyama's cross curled right in to the box and was headed away by Abby Wambach before Ogimi could get her head on it. Japan was unable to create a chance off the subsequent corner.

Minutes later a Carli Lloyd handball gave Japan yet another dangerous free kick. Hope Solo made the initial save, but the ball pinballed around the box before another shot was blocked by Amy LePeilbet who dropped to her knees and chested the ball down before a foul was called against Japan.

I really can't describe what an amazing game this is, I'm trying, but I think my words aren't enough.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Carli Lloyd Issues A Reply To Her Army Of Haters

If you are not a close follower of the United States women's soccer community on social media outlets, you might not be aware that there is a very large legion of fans who do not like midfielder Carli Lloyd. The animus doesn't necessarily have anything to do with Lloyd as a person, or any dirty play on the pitch. It's mostly because she has a nasty habit of firing lots of shots over the crossbar. Her offenses in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup were fairly egregious.

I am not a Carli Lloyd hater, per se, but I certainly think that Shannon Boxx and Lauren Cheney are better options. Heck, I thought that winger/sometimes central player Tobin Heath was a better central midfielder than Lloyd. I even prefer Lori Lindsey, the often-injured Leslie Osborne, Yael Averbuch ... I could probably name a lot of American central midfielders I liked better than Lloyd coming into the Olympics.

But I was wrong. Lloyd's six goals in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament tied Abby Wambach and Amy Rodriguez for tops on Team USA, and she currently has four goals at the Olympics. She scored the opening goal of the gold medal final against Japan with a great header on a late run into the box. Japan controlled the rest of the first half, and the United States needed a big shot in the arm to start the second half. Lloyd provided it.

Lloyd spent good parts of 2010 and 2011 firing shots over the crossbar, but she's followed up her performance at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament with some quality goals, including this stellar strike. It's the kind of goal she didn't score for a very long time before 2012, and to be completely honest, it's the kind of goal that the United States' other central midfielders struggle to produce.

Welcome back, Carli.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Japan Finally Break Through, Trail 2-1

Japan went back to work after giving up another goal to Carli Lloyd. Completely undeserved considering the run of play? Sure, but that's how soccer works. Japan won't stop though and all it takes is one goal to get them right back in to the mix. That goal came in the 63rd minute.

Ohno made a great run and found Sawa in the box with a great pass. Sawa's shot was saved off the line by Christie Rampone, but Sawa got her foot on the clearance and found Ogimi alone near the far post for an easy tap in. The series of passes involved with the setup were absolutely ridiculous and after all the close calls and missed penalty calls, the goal seems like a bit of karmic redemption for the Japanese team.

Japan is slicing the USA defense apart when accurate passing and tremendous off the ball movement, just cli nical and beautiful stuff. Now the USA will have to refocus and prevent Japan from finding an equalizer. What a game.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Carli Lloyd Scores Again, USWNT Lead 2-0

The USA are getting some chances and having moments of solid attacking, but let's be honest it's all on counter attack...so of course after Japan dominated the opening of the second half, Carli Lloyd scores again.

What an individual effort from Lloyd who took possession near midfield and sliced her way in to the Japanese third before unleashing a clinical strike that Fukumoto had no chance to stop. Tremendous credit to Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan who never touched the ball in the sequence but did a wonderful job of spreading out in front of Lloyd and drawing the Japanese defense apart to create space for her to get a clear shot on goal.

Just when you thought Japan was going to equalize, the USA turned the match completely on it's head. Carli Lloyd is having the match of her life in one of the biggest matches of her life. Four shot, three on target and two goals in 57 minutes. Wow...but this game is far from over.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Japan Unlucky Again

After a frantic and action packed first half, the USA are 45 minutes away from their fourth gold medal. There's little doubt the USA is lucky to be in the lead after Japan created several fantastic opportunities, but couldn't beat Hope Solo or the crossbar. They'll need to tighten their defense and keep organized if they want to withstand the inevitable Japanase onslaught on goal that we're going to see during the second half. Another goal would be nice too.

Japan tested the USA defense again right off the bat in the second half. Ohno made a great play to earn a free kick to the left of the 18-yard box. The curling free kick was punched away by Solo but not before a solid collision involving multiple players. Rachel Buehler was involved in the crash as well and briefly left the pitch after receiving treatment.

Here is Buehler's rugby tackle of Kumagi.

You could make a case that the USA got away with their second potential penalty of the match. Might of been a possible red card too, yikes.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Halftime Score, Carli Lloyd's Goal Has USWNT Up 1-0

After 45 minutes of play, the United States have a 1-0 lead over Japan in the gold medal match for women's soccer in the 2012 Olympics, but they've dodged quite a few bullets to get into halftime with a clean sheet.

The United States got off to a brilliant start in the opening 10 minutes of the match. Alex Morgan was their most active player early, setting up a half-chance with a knocked down header in the 2nd minute and producing a shot on target in the 3rd minute. In the 6th minute, she was taken down by Saki Kumagai, but no foul was given. Two minutes after that, her hard work was finally rewarded.

Carli Lloyd scored the game's opening goal in the 8th minute off of a fantastic assist from Morgan. Tobin Heath played a great ball into the box low for Morgan, who turned and floated a cross to the back post. Abby Wambach was waiting to volley it into the back of the net, but she was beaten to the ball by Lloyd's late run into the box. The USWNT midfielder got her head onto the ball and powered it into the net, giving the United States a 1-0 lead.

While the United States played well and certainly held their own for the rest of the half, there's no question that Japan was the much better side after the early goal. They had two spectacular back-to-back clearances cleared away in unlucky fashion less than 10 minutes after the goal.

Christie Rampone made a great 17th minute clearance on a shot by Nahomi Kawasumi, and her rebound attempt pinballed around between her, Rachel Buehler and Hope Solo before going out of play. Less than a minute after that, Solo produced her best save of the tournament.

Solo was a bit out of position and didn't react as quickly as she usually does on the header by Yuki Ogimi, but recovered excellently to tip the shot onto the crossbar and deny Japan an equalizer.

Japan should have had a penalty kick mid-way through the first half, but referee Bibiana Steinhaus didn't spot it. Following a free kick, Heath handled the ball clearly, with her arm out in her own penalty area, but it wasn't caught by officials and the United States was let off the hook.

Three minutes later, Japanese defender Azusa Iwashimizu almost scored an all-time classic own goal. On a ball into the box by Lloyd, she jumped to clear the ball away from Morgan with a header. Unfortunately, she didn't keep the ball clear of her net. This was the result.

Why she thought that was a good idea, no one will ever know.

Japan would have two more excellent chances before the end of the half, but was unable to capitalize on their opportunities. In the 34th minute, Shinobu Ohno set up Aya Miyama for a great opportunity, but Miyama's shot from 12 yards out hit against the crossbar and went out for a goal kick. Shortly afterwards, in the 37th minute, Ogimi set up Ohno for a shot at the end of a great long passing build-up. Ogimi played a perfect layoff ball with her back to goal, but Ohno's curled shot went just wide of the far post.

The United States' first eight minutes were promising and ultimately produced a goal against a Japan team that started poorly, but they're lucky that they didn't concede an equalizer. In last year's World Cup final, the United States also took a 1-0 lead against a Japanese team that kept the ball better than they did, and eventually ended up losing that match. Japan has too much quality to fail to score while playing this way for another 45 minutes.

You can find all of our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream. For more on the entire world of soccer, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Japan Peppering the Goal But Can't Score

Japan hits the crossbar yet again after a tremendous individual effort in the box by Ohno who took on three USA defenders before picking out the Japanese captain Miyama who unleashed a hard shot that beat Solo but his the bar. Miyama threw her head back in frustration after her shot failed to find the net and you can sympathize as Japan has been simply unable to get a break despite having several great chances here in the first half.

Meanwhile, the USA will take a deep breath after a bit of a defensive breakdown allowed Miyama to get off an uncontested shot from the top of the 18-yard box. Between that, the early saves from Solo and the uncalled penalty, the USA will be celebrating their luck as the game closes in on halftime.

Japan created another great chance with some clever passing just outside the box, this time it was Ohno who got off the shot that curled just wide of Solo's goal. What a frantic first half of soccer!

Hope Solo might want to give the crossbar a friendly pat of appreciation before heading in the locker room.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Japan Denied a Clear Penalty, Nearly Surrender an Own Goal

After the nice defensive response from the USA to Japan's post-goal surge, things settled down just a bit. Japan had good opportunity on a dangerous free kick in the 25th minute and it appeared on the replay that Tobin Heath committed a handball in the box. Her arm was away from her body, but the match referee waved away the shout from Japan and the match moved on. There's little doubt the USA have been getting the better end of the handball calls in this tournament.

Two minutes later Carli Lloyd's tricky cross in to the box was headed back towards goal by Japanese defender Azusa Iwashimizu and hit off the post. It was a fraction of an inch from being an own goal and giving the USA a 2-0 lead. Both teams get breaks of a different variety within a couple minutes of each other as this highly entertaining first half rolls on.

Seriously, that would have gone into the conversation for greatest own goal of all time.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Japan Nearly Equalize

Shame on the fans at Wembley for starting the wave in the 16th minute. I mean are you bored already? Attacking play from the USA, an early goal...there's no need for the wave!

Oh well, back to the action.

After giving up the early goal, Japan settled down and began to put together a much stronger run of possession. They nearly equalized in the 17th minute when Sawa found Kawasumi with a lovely pass that freed Japan's No. 9 free on goal. Her initial shot was blocked by Hope Solo and a follow-up attempt was cleared by a team defensive effort.

Less than a minute later, Yuki Ogimi was left alone right in front of Solo who made a tremendous save on Ogimi, forcing her headed shot up and off the crossbar. Two tremendous chances for Japan thwarted by two excellent defensive plays by the USA.

If you thought Japan would lay down after the early goal, well, you haven't watched enough of Japan. Game on.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Carli Lloyd Puts USWNT Ahead 1-0

The USA gets on the board first thanks to a great bit of teamwork. Tobin Heath made a smart run down the right side and found Alex Morgan with a low cross at the near post. Morgan took the touch, calmly turned and sent the ball across the face of goal where a charging Carli Lloyd headed the ball home. Abby Wambach looked to be Morgan's initial target, but I doubt she'll mind one bit having Lloyd basically take the ball off her foot.

You really couldn't have asked for a better run of play from the US attack. It's a dream start for the USA and not the way Japan wanted to start this gold medal match. The goal came in the 8th minute and is Carli Lloyd's 39th international goal.

Japan hasn't looked very fluid early in the match and has failed to put any pressure on the USA defense that had their struggles against Canada. No matter the cause, it's a much better start for the USWNT compared to their semifinal.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Kickoff at Wembley

In front of an estimated crowd of over 85,000 people, the US Women's National Team and Japan Women's National Team have kicked-off the Olympic gold medal match.

This is a rematch of last summer's World Cup final that saw Japan defeat the USA on penalties. Eight of the US players started in that game and you can bet winning today would help remove some of the sour taste that defeat left in their mouths. The only lineup change for the USA from their semifinal victory over Canada is Shannon Boxx, making her first appearance since the Olympic opener, who replaces Lauren Cheney.

Japan is in their red jerseys, with white shorts while the USA is in their blue and white change kit. The match officials on the field are all from Germany, while the fourth official is from Argentina.

Good early back-and-forth play from both teams, but neither side has looked too dangerous as yet. You get the feeling that both teams respect what the other is capable of and is wary of making an early mistake. The US did have a penalty shout turned down by the referee in the 6th minute after Alex Morgan appeared to have been impeded by the Japanese defense.

Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Lineups

The lineups have been set for the women's soccer final at the London 2012 Olympics between the United States and Japan, and there's only one decision of note in either team's lineup. Lauren Cheney has been kept out of the team in favor of Carli Lloyd, Shannon Boxx and Tobin Heath. The USWNT began the Olympics with Cheney as the starter in the center of midfield, but she's lost her place due to Boxx's return to fitness and Lloyd's surprising form. Japan's lineup is unchanged from

United States lineup (4-4-2): Hope Solo; Kelley O'Hara, Christie Rampone, Rachel Buehler, Amy LePeilbet; Tobin Heath, Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe; Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach

Japan lineup (4-4-2): Miho Fukumoto; Aya Samshima, Saki Kumagai, Azusa Iwashimizu, Yukari Kinga; Aya Miyama, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Homare Sawa, Nahomi Kawasumi; Shinobu Ohno, Yuki Ogimi

Kickoff is at 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local time from Wembley Stadium in London. The game can be seen on NBC Sports Network in the United States.

We’ll have news and features in the build-up to our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: What's Changed Since The World Cup Final?

Even though they had the more experienced players and a history of success, the United States women's national team did not enter their 2011 World Cup final against Japan as heavy favorites. The Japanese knocked off tournament hosts and favorites Germany in the quarterfinals, then thoroughly outplayed a strong Sweden team that had previously defeated the United States in the semifinals. They looked like a well-oiled machine, and they knew exactly what their best team was.

The United States, in contrast, was still tinkering all the way to the final. Lauren Cheney was moved from left midfield, where she had played the entire tournament, to forward. Megan Rapinoe took Cheney's spot, while Amy Rodriguez was dropped to the bench. With no disrespect intended to Rodriguez, the move was a long time coming. Keeping both Rapinoe and Alex Morgan on the bench never made much sense.

Cheney didn't put a performance that lived up to her fantastic games in midfield earlier in the tournament, and she was withdrawn for Morgan, who scored the game's opening goal. In a spectacular final 20 minutes of regular time and 30 minutes of extra time, Japan found a way to equalize twice. First, in the 80th minute to force extra time, then again in the 117th minute to cancel out Abby Wambach's extra time goal and force penalties. The United States would go on to miss its first three spot kicks and Japan hoisted the cup after a 3-1 shootout victory.

The two teams have played three times since then, with the United States improving each time. With Rapinoe on the bench and Rodriguez trying out a new position, at right midfield, Japan beat the United states 1-0 in Portugal back in March. They met again in Japan in April, this time with a lineup that looks a little more like the current setup of the USWNT. Rapinoe still wasn't in the team, but Heather O'Reilly, a natural winger, was back on the right in a 1-1 draw, with Morgan scoring for the United States.

Japan and the United States last met just under seven weeks ago, in an exhibition tournament in Sweden. With Pia Sundhage finally playing both Rapinoe and Morgan, with Cheney moved into the center of midfield -- the team the USWNT has played throughout the Olympics -- the United States defeated Japan 4-1. Abby Wambach and Morgan both scored twice and the USWNT registered 11 shots on target to Japan's two.

Because of that result and Japan's two unconvincing draws earlier in the tournament, the United States enters Thursday's Olympic final as slight favorites over the team that beat them in the World Cup final just over a year ago. However, it's worth noting that Japan was without two of its first choice defenders in that friendly, Aya Sameshima and Saki Kumagai.

The difference made by the absence of two defenders of their caliber, in addition to the chemistry shake-up on the back line, could have tipped the scales considerably in the USWNT's favor. Japan's defense is extremely well-organized, and the chemistry that the back four have with goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori and defensive midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi is critical. With all six players in the lineup together, Japan shouldn't let in four goals.

Sundhage has a better idea of what her best team looks like than she did before the World Cup final. The new players that she's introduced into the first team, who were substitutes in that final, are now on top form. The United States is a better team now than it was in 2011.

We’ll have news and features in the build-up to our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

Going For Gold: An Interview With U.S. Women's Soccer Captain Christie Rampone

Canada Vs. France: Canada Takes Bronze With Stoppage Time Goal

The Canadian women's soccer team was probably pretty bummed out after seeing the United States secure a medal with a goal in stoppage time. So it decided to go out and secure a medal of its own with a goal in stoppage time, with a 92nd-minute goal giving Canada a 1-0 lead, avoiding extra time and giving the team a bronze medal.

France probably deserved the win: the French took 25 shots in the game, including a ding off the left post and another off the crossbar. But the goal remained elusive, as it couldn't find the net. Meanwhile, the Canadians entered stoppage time in the second half only having taken two shots all game. Its third was a strike from inside the 18 by Kaylyn Kyle. The goalkeeper appeared to have that covered, but a French defender blocked the shot, and the ball fell perfectly to Diana Matheson, who slotted the ball perfectly into the back of the net -- the only shot on goal of the game for Canada.

A bronze isn't what the Canadians came for, but it's some solace after their heartbreaking 4-3 defeat in the semifinals. Plus, it's the first medal in a team sport for Canada since the men's basketball team took silver in 1936.

This is also good news for any of you fans of transitive property banking on the bronze medal match to determine whether the loser of USA-Canada was better than the loser of Japan-France.

We'll have news and features in the build-up to our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: How the USWNT Got To The Gold Medal Game

The US Women’s National Team cruised through CONCACF qualifying, outscoring their opponents 38-0 in five matches. That run included a 4-0 thrashing of eventual Olympics semifinal opponent Canada. Despite the loss to Japan in the 2011 World Cup Final, the Americans arrived in London as one of the tournament’s favorites and a group that on paper held only one serious threat in France.

France and the USWNT met in both team’s Olympic opener and immediately there was cause for concern. France took an early 2-0 lead in the first 13 minutes of the match. While the team never panicked, fans were momentarily stunned, like a boxer taking a clean shot on the chin. The US equalized by the the 31st minute thanks to goals from Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan. Second half strikes from Carli Lloyd and Morgan completed the comeback victory and put the USWNT on the road to qualification in the knockout round.

The second group stage match against Colombia was a physical affair that included Wambach taking a sucker punch in the eye from Colombian defender Kelis Peduzine. Despite the chippy play, the US cruised to a 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Megan Rapinoe, Wambach and Lloyd, clinching a birth in the quarterfinals.

The group stage closed with a somewhat drab 1-0 victory over North Korea, but it was enough for the US to clinch the top spot in the group and a date with New Zealand in the quarterfinals.

Against the Kiwis, the US continued their shutout streak in a 2-0 win. Wambach scored in the 27th minute to give the US the lead and 60 somewhat nervy minutes later, Sydney Leroux sealed the victory with her first career Olympic goal.

With the win, the USWNT advanced to their fifth straight Olympic semifinal (this is the fifth Olympics in which Women’s soccer is a medal sport) against CONCACAF rival Canada. What transpired was one of the most entertaining and controversial (depending on your perspective) soccer matches ever played. Canada’s Christine Sinclair put Canada in the lead three times in the match, but in each case, the US fought back. The tying goal came thanks to a penalty for a handball that was setup by an extremely rare six-second call against Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod that gave the US an indirect free kick in the box.

Tied at 3, the teams failed to score in the 30 minutes of extra time and the match appeared to be heading to penalties. However, in the 123rd minute a tremendous moment of hustle from Heather O’Reilly to chase down a ball on the wing, allowed her to send a curling cross back in to the box that Alex Morgan rose to meet and headed past McLeod to give the US a dramatic win and a birth in the Olympic final against Japan.

We’ll have news and features in the build-up to our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.

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USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: USWNT Faces World Cup Rematch In Final At Wembley

The United States and Japan play a rematch of the World Cup final on Thursday when they play for the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

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