Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About Carli Lloyd
Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About Alex Morgan
Carli Lloyd’s second goal against japan.
Carli Lloyd of New Jersey scored two goals as the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team just triumphed over arch rival Japan to take home the gold medal at the London Olympics!
It was sweet revenge for the ladies in red, white and blue. Last year the U.S. women’s soccer team suffered a huge defeat to Japan in the FIFA world cup. The US squad was the top team going into the World Cup play and seemed destined to take home the trophy. They coasted through group play, recording a 2-0-1 record before heading into the elimination round. They then outlasted Brazil in the quarterfinals and manhandled France in the semis. All seemed to be going well for the US until they met Japan in the finals, a match that ended with Japan winning in penalty shots. The 2012 US Women’s soccer team wasn’t here just to win, they were here to redeem the 2011 final.
Today the U.S. kept pressure up early, keeping the ball deep and not allowing the defense time to readjust. Eight minutes in this hard work paid off as Alex Morgan sent a cross to Carli Lloyd who headed it passed Japan’s goalie, Miho Fukumoto.
Samuel Jackson loved it:
What’s the Fukkin SCORE Smartasses?!! ONE to NOTHING!!! We don’t say NIL either!! FUCK OFF!!!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 9, 2012
Several minutes later Carli Lloyd came inches away from hitting home her second goal of the half when a long strike bounced off Fukumoto’s hands and hit a post. Japan’s attack began to pick up shortly after as American keeper, Hope Solo, kept a pair of shots from Sawa and Miyama out of the net. Solo’s strong play was the key for the U.S. team maintaining their 1-0 lead going into the half.
Alex Morgan played like a lady possessed during the first minutes of the second half. Her early contributions led to multiple close crosses that almost went through. Japan’s D kept early attempts out but eventually was bested by the feet of Carli Lloyd who netted her second of the night at 54 minutes.
Japan attacked right as Yugi Ogimi cut the lead in half with 27 minutes left. Japan continued to press but they could not get the goal they needed past the American defense. Japan’s best chance came at 82 minutes when Iwabuchi was flat-out robbed by a diving Hope Solo near the right post.
Carli Lloyd might have scored 2 goals, but there is an argument to be made for giving Hope Solo the title of MVP of the game. Solo’s early and late stops were the key to USA maintaining the lead. The announcer put it best, “Hope Solo is America’s hero.”
Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About Carli Lloyd
Top 10 Facts You Need to Know About Alex Morgan