.png)
 (1).png)
U.S. Women's Soccer Team Advances to Gold Medal Match
8/18/2008 12:13:19 PM | Women's Soccer
BEIJING, China -- The U.S. Women's Soccer National Team will play for the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics after defeating Japan, 4-2, in the semifinals on Monday. The U.S. takes on Brazil on Thursday in the final, a rematch of the 2004 Olympic final in Athens.
Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon, who coaches the goalkeepers for Team USA, could win his second gold medal. Wheddon was on the coaching staff in 2004 when the U.S. defeated Brazil, 2-1, in the final.
The U.S. had to come from behind in the semifinals as Japan scored the first goal of the match in the 16th minute on a corner from the right side. The U.S. came back and scored twice in the final four minutes of the first half to take the lead for good. Angela Hucles scored on an assist from Heather O'Reilly in the 41st minute to tie the game, and Lori Chalupny gave the U.S. its first lead when she scored on an assist from Amy Rodriguez in the 44th minute.
The Americans extended their lead on O'Reilly's goal in the 70th minute and Hucles' second goal in the 80th minute. Japan would add a goal in stopaage time for the 4-2 final.
Thursday's final between the U.S. and Brazil will be aired live on USA Network and the NBC Olympic Soccer Channel at 9 a.m. Since women's soccer was added the Olympic program in 1996, the U.S. is the only team that has advanced to all four Olympic finals.
