With a magnificent team defensive effort, the U.S. Women’s National Team stopped a very talented Brazilian side and with a goal of their own six minutes into overtime ended their opponents’ hope of finally winning a major championship. The U.S., unable to win the last two World Cups, has rebounded from those losses both times to take the Olympic title.

The first point of dissonance for American fans is their realization that Brazil was favored and is a more exciting and interesting team to watch. Then there is the realization that it was a superb defensive effort that held off the Brazilians; it was not offensive potency that gave the U.S. the gold medal.

For the first 65 minutes the teams roared up and down the field with very few cracks appearing in either defense. After that, as players started wearing down, the game became more open. The first major opportunity was created by Marta single-handedly in the 72 minute. Closely marked by both Kate Markgraf and Heather Mitts on the left side of the box, Marta nudged the ball around the defenders and with her speed and strength pushed past them to advance on Hope Solo one-on-one. Her powerful left-footed shot to the near post was blocked by Solo with her arm in a reaction save. Brazil could easily have been up at that point.

The U.S. came back with two end of regulation opportunities of their own. In the 86th minute substitute Lauren Cheney rolled a square ball across the box. Angela Hucles was unmarked but could not get enough power on her shot to beat young Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara, who dived to her right and held the ball. Then in the 92nd minute came the best U.S. chance in regulation: A Solo goal kick was given a long flick on at the mid-line and Amy Rodriguez outran the defender to the ball. Rodriguez tried to chip Barbara instead of using her momentum and speed to go around her but the Brazilian goalie was able to leap and knock the ball down.

Finally, in the overtime the U.S. got their goal. Cheney, encircled by three defenders, slid the ball to Carlie Lloyd who slipped a back-heel to Rodriguez just inside the box on the left. A-Rod held off defenders and fed it back to Lloyd who touched it past a defender and then hit a left-footer from 19 yards out under Barbara, diving to her left, and inside the back post.

Lloyd had one more chance to put the match on ice with three minutes left in overtime. A nice sequence from Rodriguez to Natasha Kai to Cheney to Lloyd ended with Lloyd racing through four defenders and hitting a bullet off the back post. Despite the numerous U.S. chances, it must be remembered that Brazil always looked the more dangerous team. But the U.S. defense hung together in a great team display and nothing came of the any of the Brazilian opportunities.

Coda

The past two years have been the center of the cycle for international women’s soccer. 2007 featured preparation for–and playing in–the World Cup, while 2008 has focused on the Olympics. Now the cycle enters its down time. The next two years, 2009 and 2010, will be mainly for maintenance and rebuilding. What does the future look like for the U.S.?

Pia Sundhage has no doubt secured a new contract along with the Olympic title (in a fit of caution USSF gave her a one year deal only, through the Olympics).

Yet the Olympic title was achieved via a defensive effort as that is exactly what Greg Ryan was all about. Sundhage was brought in to return the U.S. to its glory days of a mighty offensive machine. That clearly has not happened. Sundhage wanted to make the attack unpredictable by alternating between different formations and slowing the pace so increased numbers could be brought forward together. Yet many observers of the team’s play at the Olympics were shocked and disappointed by its long-ball tactics.

My guess is that the current crop of players simply cannot adapt to what Sundhage wants. They are impatient in the attack and not creative enough as passers. Perhaps Sundhage came to recognize that and at the Olympic tournament decided to let them go their own way. Her reluctance to use Aly Wagner, who is creative but is a defensive liability, may be a sign of that.

What that means for the future is not at all clear. Assuming Sundhage is retained, if she is serious about developing a multi-dimensional attack it will require not only changes in personnel but the adoptation of an entirely new mindset.

It is worth thinking about Brazil, who along with the U.S. and Germany are the world’s top teams. Brazil is so talented but, despite the tremendous shot in the arm they received with their World Cup victory (and humiliation of the U.S.) have not been able to win the medal games. The Brazilian federation is stingy and keeps the team out of major competitions. Losing in Beijing twice in the last two years will not help free up support. Whether this team can rebound and remain a force even when playing so rarely is not clear.

Before going into shut down mode, the U.S. will do a victory tour, with three matches against Ireland coming up in September (13th, 17th, 20nd in Philadelphia, East Rutherford, N.J., and Chicago, respectively). It does not appear these matches will be televised nationally.

It should also be pointed out that the conditions of life for the national team will change soon. The new Women’s Professional Soccer league is coming into being. In September, both U.S. players and foreign players will be drafted with play to commence in April 2009. Attention will shift to the domestic league for at least a couple of season, leaving the national team with a different outlook.