The U.S. Women's soccer team went into its Sunday match with Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup at Dresden, Germany as underdogs and after a penalty shootout, emerged victorious with a 5-3 result. The Americans now advance to play France in the semifinals Wednesday (11:30 am ET, ESPN) at Monchengladbach. This marks the sixth time Team USA has advanced to the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup. In 2007 the Americans were eliminated in the semifinals by Brazil.
Team USA is lined as -115 moneyline favorite in its match with France, listed on the SBGglobal.com offshore soccer board with a betting total of 2 1/2 goals. Betting the UNDER is priced at -240 while OVER wagers are valued at EVEN (+100) odds.
The Americans struck goal early against Brazil in the game's second minute and held the 1-0 lead until the 65th minute when Rachel Buehler tangled with Brazil's Marta, considered by pundits to be the best women’s soccer player in the world, in the left penalty area. It was ruled by game officials that Buehler denied Marta an obvious scoring opportunity, and hence, awarded a penalty kick to Brazil and in turn sent Buehler from the game forcing Team USA to play a player down for the final minutes of the game.
Brazil failed on the initial penalty kick by Cristiane but after a encroachment violation on the US, were given another chance; this time getting goal from a Marta kick knotting the match at 1-1. The score remained tied for the remaining 23 minutes of regulation sending the match into extra time.
Brazil drew first blood in extra time when Marta took a Maurine pass and kicked the ball off the right post into the net giving Brazil a 2-1 edge. In spite of playing with 10 players, Team USA took advantage of an added three additional minutes of extra time and tied the match in the 120th minute on a header by Abby Wambach just inside the right post from six yards out. Team USA went into a second 15 minute extra time period tied 2-2 and was brilliant converting 5-for-5 in penalty kicks for the victory.
