Mon 11/22/2010
US Womens Soccer Beats Italy 1-0, in Overtime. Rematch on Wednesday
Italy Must WIN the Return Match in Chicago on Wednesday Nov 27 BY TWO GOALS to be eligible for the Final 16.
Stoppage-time Goal from Morgan Delivers USA 1-0 win in Italy
Examiner,com; L. E. Eisenmenger; November 21st, 2010
On November 21, the U.S. Women's National Team won the first leg of their home-and-away qualifier series in Italy 1-0 and now prepare for the home leg at Toyota Park, in Bridgeview, Illinois on November 27. The result will secure either the USA or Italy the final berth in World Cup Germany 2011.
Alex Morgan, 21, scored the clutch goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Italy coach Pietro Ghedin made the questionable choice of substituting a player in stoppage time, which extended that period from two minutes to four. The goal, assisted by Abby Wambach, was Morgan's fourth in just eight appearances with the senior national team. Morgan had replaced Amy Rodriguez in the 86th minute.
"One of the top-five biggest goals in this team's history I think," said Wambach. "Not that I've been a part of all of them, but I've been involved in a few big goals and for a 21-year-old to come on the field and make that kind of difference to give us the edge to potentially qualify for the World Cup - that's huge. You can't put a word or an emotion to it. It's just the biggest goal of her career."
The key away goal counts as double should the two teams tie on total goals at the end of the two-game series. A win or tie next Saturday by the U.S. would earn the Americans the final berth to Germany. A win for Italy with a margin of two or more goals would send the Italians to the Cup. A 1-0 victory for Italy would force two 15-minute overtime periods, followed by penalty kicks if necessary.
Despite the dramatic finale to the game, the USA struggled to create chances throughout and blew several close-range scoring opportunities. The USA launched 19 shots, 11 on goal, compared to Italy's six, three on goal. Italy defended well and goalkeeper Ana Maria Picarelli was forced to make six saves. But in the return leg, Italy is sure to play a different, attacking game.
Giancarlo Padovan, the president of the Italian women's league, called the World Cup qualifying process "scandalous."
"In Europe, qualifying is spread over two years," said Padovan, "and Italy has played 16 matches and three playoffs. This is the fourth. Whereas CONCACAF qualifying is held over 12 days with two groups of four teams each. We saw tonight that the level of play is not so dramatically different between the two regions, yet the qualifying is not balanced."
http://www.examiner.com/soccer-in-national/
stoppage-time-goal-from-morgan-delivers-usa-1-0-win-italy
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