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Posted: Friday, August 15, 2008 - 2:56 am

Unbelievable

Let’s review the highlights of our win over New Zealand:

- HAO (Heather O'Reilly) scored an amazing goal in opening minute of game
- Pearcie (Christie Rampone) played in her 200th game for the United States
- 4 players scored awesome goals
- Aly Wagner was on field for first time in 2008 Olympics
- Chalupa (Lori Chalupny) returned to action

It was just awesome, everything about it! The girls knew they had to beat New Zealand to secure their chance going through but who would have thought that Norway would lose by such a large margin to Japan. This just proves why you have to stay positive and only focus on controlling what you can. Pia and Pearcie have and are continuing to do such a great job leading this team.

My favorite part of the game was seeing the camera focus on HAO after she scored her goal and to then see the reaction on all the girls faces. It was so special and emotional for me!! Pia has mentioned multiple times to the press that the team will be more comfortable and confident each minute they play in this Olympics. I think it was great to see the girls settle down and have fun out there as each moment passed.

I talked to Angie (Angela Hucles) after the game and she was ecstatic. She said, “There were a lot of great things that happened in the win against New Zealand including a shut out, four goals by different people, Christie’s 200th cap and advancing out of the group.”

The team is now in Shanghai, which is an awesome city to be in. Unfortunately the weather is not cooperating (lots of rain and thunder) but the team did get a little excursion to the Old Town in Shanghai. Looks like no more hanging out with Ronaldhino and the Brazilian men’s team now that they are in Shanghai!

The real reason they are in Shanghai is to face Canada in Friday’s quarterfinals. I think we would all agree that the US-Canada rivalry is special. They are just that team that we have to battle extremely hard with and it’s always an emotional, physical and draining game. Sometimes we know a team so well and their personnel, it can make it more difficult to play them (especially on the world stage).

Angie agreed and said, “We are excited for our next match and to play Canada. We have a good idea of how they will play. We know we will have to match their aggressive play to come out on top.”

The team has one focus on its mind and that is playing a solid 90 minutes against Canada.

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