Sports

U.S. Soccer Team Beats Brazil 1-0 For Olympic Gold

 Beijing Games Complete Coverage

BEIJING (AP) ― Outplayed and overwhelmed for most of the night, the Americans got the only shot they needed.

Olympic champions, once again.

Carli Lloyd scored in the sixth minute of extra time Thursday night, Hope Solo bailed out her teammates time and again, and the United States beat Brazil 1-0 to win the gold medal in women's soccer for a third time in four Olympics. As the final whistle sounded, the Americans charged across the field, hugging anyone in sight. Someone handed out flags, and several players took off, running.

The victory was a bit of redemption for the Americans, who went to the World Cup as favorites last fall only to be humbled 4-0 in the semifinals by Brazil. And for no one was it sweeter than Solo, who was banished from the World Cup bronze medal game after criticizing then-coach Greg Ryan for not playing her against Brazil even though she'd allowed only two goals in four World Cup starts, and had a shutout streak of nearly 300 minutes going. Several minutes after the game ended, Solo sprinted back out onto the field, a gaudy imitation gold medal around her neck, a phone to her ear and a bright smile on her face.

It also was the first major victory for coach Pia Sundhage, and gave the Americans the gold medal three of the four times since women's soccer was added in 1996. The United States' only loss was in the 2000 final to Norway.

For the Brazilians, it was bitter disappointment. Goalkeeper Barbara lay on her back, sobbing after the game, while Cristiane sat on the ground crying. Marta, who had been so brilliant all night only to see her team come up short yet again in a major tournament, put her hand to her head. She cried when she got her silver, her lip quivering.

The two-time FIFA Player of the Year was spectacular. Her speed and control mesmerized the American defenders, and her cat-like quickness allowed her to get to balls no other player would have come close to. She was credited with six shots on goal, but she seemed to be in Solo's personal space more often than a pickpocket.

The top-ranked team in the world, the Americans weren't at full strength in Beijing. Top defender Cat Whitehill tore up her left knee in June, leading scorer Abby Wambach broke her leg last month in the final tuneup for Beijing, and the Americans have been trying all Olympics to find their groove.

It certainly took them awhile Thursday, looking sluggish and outclassed for much of the game.

But just as they have all Olympics, they came through when it counted.

The Americans nearly scored three times in the last five minutes of regulation, twice in the 86th minute alone. Then, in extra time, Amy Rodriguez held off two Brazilians and put the ball up for Lloyd who gave it a light touch with her right foot and then left-footed it from a yard outside the area.

Barbara dived, but the ball scooted past her and settled in the far bottom corner of the net.

Marta did everything she could to draw the Brazilians even. In the 102nd minute, she was tackled by Heather Mitts and then, after getting the ball back, was blocked first by Kate Markgraf and then by Christie Rampone.

In the final minutes of the second extra period, she tried to bend in a corner a few minutes later only to watch Solo punch it free. Renata Costa collected the rebound, but her shot banged into the side of the net, drawing groans from the star-studded crowd of 51,612 -- Kobe Bryant, Pele, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge were all in the house -- that clearly favored Brazil.

Shortly after, Marta looped in a free kick, but none of her teammates went for it, and the ball bounced over the scrum and wide of the far post. And with seconds left, Cristiane's header went just wide.

Earlier, world champion Germany defeated Japan 2-0 in the bronze medal game.

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