SBNation.com - Japan Tops USA For First Time Ever In Grueling Women's World Cup Finalhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2011-07-19T09:43:51-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20414472011-07-19T09:43:51-04:002011-07-19T09:43:51-04:00Women's World Cup TV Ratings Info Released; USA-Japan Sixth Most Watched Soccer Game Ever in U.S.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/18/2281086/womens-world-cup-tv-ratings-us-soccer-japan">ESPN revealed Monday</a> that their broadcast of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup final had scored a very good overnight rating of 8.6, but that wasn't the whole story. On Tuesday, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/07/18/2011-women%E2%80%99s-world-cup-finals-espn%E2%80%99s-most-viewed-and-highest-rated-soccer-match/">ESPN released all of the details of the ratings</a>, including comparisons to other soccer broadcasts on their family of networks, including ABC, and the stats are impressive.</p>
<p>The Women's World Cup final match between the USA and Japan was watched by a total of 13,458,000 viewers, making it the sixth most watched soccer broadcast of all time in the United States and the most watched soccer broadcast ever on ESPN. This means it beat out matches like the classic USA vs. Algeria match in the men's World Cup last year, multiple editions of El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, some major EPL derbies and multiple Champions League finals.</p>
<p>USA-Japan was also a hit on ESPN3.com, where 548,000 people watched the game, making it the eighth most viewed event ever on the service and the second most watched event that was not part of the 2010 World Cup.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/19/2282754/womens-world-cup-tv-ratings-usa-vs-japan-2011-us-soccer-uswntKim McCauley2011-07-19T09:01:10-04:002011-07-19T09:01:10-04:00US World Cup Team Receives Warm Welcome On Return Home
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The U.S. Women's World Cup team stepped off the bus in Newark N.J., just 24 hours after their loss in the finals of the World Cup, to cheers.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 16px;">Then they had another bus ride to Manhattan where they came across a few hundred more fans who cheered some more. </span></p>
<p>But the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-wwcup-usteamreturns" target="_blank">friendly welcome home</a> started at the airport, where fans met them and security guards posed for pictures with the World Cup finalists. </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Really humbling, and truthfully it's probably brought my spirits up more than anything else could have," Abby Wambach said. "I am so disappointed for my teammates, myself. I am so disappointed for our country because I really feel like we had it. It was so close.</p>
<p>"Coming home to this kind of reception is truly one of the best things that has ever happened."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>However, the Women's team is still feeling the hurt of the loss.</p>
<p>Hope Solo said she was taking the loss pretty hard. Heather O'Reilly said she was feeling the sting of a loss the team will never forget.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It's obviously been a big disappointment," Heather O'Reilly. "A lot of tears, a lot of laughter, telling stories of the last month together-one that we will never forget. This group is special. We will bounce back. We have shown our resilience this whole tournament. I think Americans know that we will bounce back."</p>
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/19/2282311/us-world-cup-team-receives-warm-welcome-on-return-homeStephanie Kuzydym2011-07-18T10:50:44-04:002011-07-18T10:50:44-04:00Women's World Cup: U.S. Soccer's Loss To Japan Draws Huge TV Ratings
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Everyone knew that the final of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup was going to do solid ratings in the United States after the United States' dramatic run, but even the most optimistic of footy fans and ESPN executives probably didn't think it was going to do this well. Per ESPN Public Relations guy Bill Hofheimer, the broadcast of USA vs. Japan averaged an 8.6 rating.</p>
<p>
<style type="text/css">.bbpBox92965154332999680 {background:url(http://a3.twimg.com/profile_background_images/35794165/mnf_40.jpg) #0084b4;padding:20px;} p.bbpTweet{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;-moz-border-radius:5px;-webkit-border-radius:5px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:8px;padding-top:12px;height:40px;border-top:1px solid #fff;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author{line-height:19px} p.bbpTweet span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 7px 0 0px;width:38px;height:38px} p.bbpTweet a:hover{text-decoration:underline}p.bbpTweet span.timestamp{font-size:12px;display:block}</style>
</p>
<div class="bbpBox92965154332999680">
<p class="bbpTweet">Sunday's <a rel="nofollow" class="tweet-url hashtag" title="#WWC2011" href="http://twitter.com/search?q=%23WWC2011">#WWC2011</a> final on @<a rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/ESPN" class="tweet-url username">ESPN</a> btwn @<a rel="nofollow" href="http://twitter.com/ussoccer_wnt" class="tweet-url username">ussoccer_wnt</a> and Japan scores 8.6 overnight rtg. Incredible.<span class="timestamp"><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/bhofheimer_espn/status/92965154332999680" title="Mon Jul 18 14:33:14 +0000 2011">less than a minute ago</a> via web <a href="http://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=92965154332999680"><img src="http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/favorite.png"> Favorite</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=92965154332999680"><img src="http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/retweet.png"> Retweet</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=92965154332999680"><img src="http://si0.twimg.com/images/dev/cms/intents/icons/reply.png"> Reply</a></span><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/bhofheimer_espn"><img src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/225757899/bill_normal.JPG"></a><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/bhofheimer_espn">bill hofheimer</a></strong><br>bhofheimer_espn</span></span></p>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>This is slightly smaller than the 13.3 rating that the 1999 final did on ABC, but that match was on network television instead of cable. Additionally, due to the World Cup taking place in the United States, there was much more hype surrounding the team before the final. By all accounts, the ratings also dwarfed those of the final round of the British Open, which was broadcast on the same day by ESPN.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/18/2281086/womens-world-cup-tv-ratings-us-soccer-japanKim McCauley2011-07-18T08:01:01-04:002011-07-18T08:01:01-04:002011 Women's World Cup: Japan Victory Inspires A Nation
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>While American audiences were heartbroken to watch the US women's team lose in penalty kicks in the 2011 World Cup Finals, Japan's victory was a boon to a nation that's <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fsports%2Fsoccer%2F2011-07-17-japan-world-cup-victory-brings-hope_n.htm&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sbnation.com%2Fsoccer%2F2011%2F7%2F18%2F2280698%2F2011-womens-world-cup-japan-america-nation-inspire-recap" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">had its fair share of suffering in the past year</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"This is really a happy moment for the Japanese to boost up the energy, because we've heard so many tragedies and bad stories," said Romi Satoh, a native of Hokkaido, Japan. "And this is something to really energize people."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Lost in our disappointing and constant-tweeting is the fact that this is the greatest moment in the history of Japanese women's soccer. And it couldn't have come at a better time, for the team and for the country.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><i>"Everybody in the Japanese national team has received some kind of power and strength from those Japanese who strive for rehabilitation after the earthquake and the tsunami," he said. "On the other hand, those who are struggling for rehabilitation and reconstruction in Japan have received a lot of strength and power and encouragement from this Japanese national team."</i></p>
</blockquote>
<p>It was Japan's first trip to the World Cup final and the first time an Asian country has won the trophy since the tournament began in 1991.</p>
<p><i>For all of our updates from the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, check out our <a target="_blank" href="../../../soccer/2011/7/17/2279975/womens-world-cup-2011-usa-vs-japan-final-news-schedule-updates-fifa-uswnt-us-women-keys-wambach">World Cup Final StoryStream</a>. Also taking place Sunday are the Copa America quarterfinals, so head over to our <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2279732/copa-america-2011-brazil-vs-paraguay-news-updates-schedule-preview">Brazil vs. Paraguay StoryStream</a> for updates on that. For all kinds of coverage on world football, check out <a target="_blank" href="../../../soccer">SB Nation Soccer</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/18/2280698/2011-womens-world-cup-japan-america-nation-inspire-recapSean Keeley2011-07-17T21:53:55-04:002011-07-17T21:53:55-04:002011 Women's World Cup Final Shatters Twitter Record
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Women's World Cup final might not have gone the was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states">United States</a> would have wanted, but it made tweeting history with <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/twitter/status/92754546824200193">a new world record for Twitter time density</a> - a staggering 7,196 tweets per second were recorded in the final seconds of the penalty shootout that saw <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan">Japan</a> crowned as new world champions. For comparison's sake, the death of Osama bin Laden just months ago saw 5,106 tweets registered per second, 2,000 fewer than those writing about the women's game.</p>↵<p>The tweeting didn't stop there, however, as Twitter then registered a perhaps even more astonishing 7,166 tweets per second for the end of the Copa America quarterfinal match that saw holders and favourites <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/brazil">Brazil</a> knocked out by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/paraguay">Paraguay</a> - again, on penalties. Quite why a Copa America quarterfinal that was less exciting than the one held the day prior now holds second place in terms of all-time tweeting density is a little unclear. Perhaps twitterers just really like talking about penalty misses?</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2280524/twitter-usa-japan-womens-world-cup-final-2011Graham MacAree2011-07-17T17:43:23-04:002011-07-17T17:43:23-04:00USA Vs. Japan, 2011 Women's World Cup Final: Japan Prevails On Penalty Kicks, 3-1
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>It wasn't to be for the USWNT. For the first time in the history of the Women's World Cup, the United States has ended their tournament with a loss. In all prior tournaments they have finished in either first or third place, but they will have to settle for second tonight, as Japan are champions of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup after winning 3-1 on penalty kicks after extra time finished with the game locked in a 2-2 draw. All three of the first three penalty takers for the USA women's soccer team missed their penalty kicks.</p>
<p>This was also a first, as the United States had never missed in a penalty shootout in the World Cup before this World Cup final. Shannon Boxx, who stepped up first had her effort saved. Japan's first taker, Aya Miyama, converted her penalty. The USWNT's second penalty taker Carli Lloyd skied her shot over the bar, but Hope Solo kept hope alive for the United States when she made a save, keeping it 1-0. Tobin Heath quickly erased that progress, though, as she become the third consecutive USWNT player to miss when she stepped up. Abby Wambach eventually scored to keep the United States alive for one more penalty taker, but Saki Kumagai netted the winner for Japan, giving them the victory 3-1 on penalties.</p>
<p>The first half of the match ended scoreless, but it was the United States who had most of the chances to open the scoring. They produced 12 shots in the first half, with many of them narrowly missing the goal by less than a foot. However, they were only able to put one shot on target - their first shot of the match.</p>
<p>In the second half, the United States opened the scoring when substitute Alex Morgan scored a fantastic far-post finish in the 69th minute after running onto a brilliant long ball from Megan Rapinoe. Their lead would be short lived, though, as Aya Miyama capitalized on poor defending and a botched clearance by Rachel Buehler to score Japan's equalizer, forcing extra time.</p>
<p>Everything appeared to be in the bag for the U.S. women when Abby Wambach scored on a simple, unmarked header in the 104th minute, assisted by Alex Morgan. That lead evaporated in the 116th minute, though, thanks to a goal on a header by World Cup Golden Boot (and probably Golden Ball) winner Homare Sawa, who netted her fifth goal of the tournament to tie the game at 2-2.</p>
<p>Things got a bit dicey for Japan at the end as Azusa Iwashimizu was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity, hauling down Alex Morgan in the 120th minute, but nothing came of the ensuing free kick. Japan went on to win the match in penalty kicks, making Iwashimizu's decision to take a red card for her team look like a fantastic one.</p>
<p>This victory is the first World Cup title for Japan, who had never advanced past the quarterfinals in previous tournaments. The 2011 World Cup marked only their second time in the knockout stages of the competition. Based on the road they took to get to the title, defeating Germany, Sweden and the United States in succession, Japan's win is one of the most impressive accomplishments in the history of world football.</p>
<hr>
<center>
<p><i>Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/sbnation" target="_blank">@sbnation on Twitter</a> <b>|</b> Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sbnation" target="_blank">SB Nation on Facebook</a><b> |</b> Sign up for our <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a></i></p>
</center>
<hr>
<p><i>For all of our updates from the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, check out our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2279975/womens-world-cup-2011-usa-vs-japan-final-news-schedule-updates-fifa-uswnt-us-women-keys-wambach">World Cup Final StoryStream</a>. Also taking place Sunday are the Copa America quarterfinals, so head over to our <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2279732/copa-america-2011-brazil-vs-paraguay-news-updates-schedule-preview">Brazil vs. Paraguay StoryStream</a> for updates on that. For all kinds of coverage on world football, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer">SB Nation Soccer</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2280225/womens-world-cup-2011-usa-vs-japan-live-updates-final-fifa-uswnt-final-score-full-time-penaltiesKim McCauley2011-07-17T17:13:20-04:002011-07-17T17:13:20-04:00USA Vs. Japan, 2011 Women's World Cup Final: Homare Sawa Goal Forces Penalties
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The final of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup is headed to penalty kicks, much to the surprise of no one. Yes, Abby Wambach scored what was seemingly the winner in the 104th minute - the 14th minute of extra time - but followers of the team know that the USWNT can't possibly do anything the easy way. Like it was written for a movie script, Homare Sawa scored an equalizer with a great header in the second half, becoming the leading goal scorer in the tournament and equalizing for Japan. It's 2-2 after 120 minutes, and the teams head to penalties.</p>
<p>Incredibly, the United States had a chance to win the game even after Sawa's equalizer. In the 120th minute, Alex Morgan was hauled down on the edge of the penalty area by Azusa Iwashimizu, who was shown a straight red card for denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity. With the time on the clock reading what it did, she ultimately made the correct decision to take the sending off for her team, and her tackle has given her team a 50-50 chance to win the game with spot kicks at the end.</p>
<p>Since this is a scripted tournament - I think Hope Solo's biopic, actually - it would be going against the script for Solo not to make a big save or two.</p>
<hr>
<center>
<p><i>Follow <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/sbnation">@sbnation on Twitter</a> <b>|</b> Like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/sbnation">SB Nation on Facebook</a><b> |</b> Sign up for our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/newsletter">Newsletter</a></i></p>
</center>
<hr>
<p><i>For live updates throughout the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, keep it on our <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2279975/womens-world-cup-2011-usa-vs-japan-final-news-schedule-updates-fifa-uswnt-us-women-keys-wambach" target="_blank">World Cup Final StoryStream</a>. Also taking place right now are the Copa America quarterfinals, so head over to our <a href="http://sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2279732/copa-america-2011-brazil-vs-paraguay-news-updates-schedule-preview" target="_blank">Brazil vs. Paraguay StoryStream</a> for updates on that. For all kinds of coverage on world football, check out <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer" target="_blank">SB Nation Soccer</a>.</i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2280214/womens-world-cup-2011-usa-vs-japan-live-updates-final-fifa-uswnt-homare-sawa-goal-penaltiesKim McCauley2011-07-17T17:05:39-04:002011-07-17T17:05:39-04:00VIDEO: Abby Wambach Goal In USA-Japan Extra Time
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Hey, look. Abby Wambach scored another clutch goal in the Women's World Cup. With 13 minutes gone in extra time against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan">Japan</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states">United States</a> sharpshooter headed in a goal not even a second after Ian Darke predicted the USWNT's strategy.</p>
<p>Video, via <a href="http://twitter.com/jose3030">@jose3030</a>:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DCcC9LsVTdo" height="200" width="300"></iframe></p>
<p>
<meta charset="utf-8">
Pretty much everybody has tweeted ABBY HAM-BACH at least once over the past month.</p>
<p>Whatever happens over the match's last few minutes, Wambach will have scored in four straight contests. She's also the oldest player to ever score in a WWC Final, one goal shy of the US tournament record and tied for the 2011 Cup's scoring lead.</p>
<p>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For live updates throughout the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, keep it on our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2279975/womens-world-cup-2011-usa-vs-japan-final-news-schedule-updates-fifa-uswnt-us-women-keys-wambach" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #c52126; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">World Cup Final StoryStream</a>. Also taking place right now are the Copa America quarterfinals, so head over to our <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2279732/copa-america-2011-brazil-vs-paraguay-news-updates-schedule-preview" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #c52126; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Brazil vs. Paraguay StoryStream</a> for updates on that. For all kinds of coverage on world football, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer" style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #c52126; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">SB Nation Soccer</a>.</i></span></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/17/2280203/abby-wambach-usa-japan-womens-world-cup-final-2011Jason Kirk