Yves Logghe/Associated Press
The US team starters were Alex Krieger, Lauren Cheney, Abby Wambach, goalkeeper Hope Solo, Heather O Reilly, Amy Rodriguez, from top left, and from bottom left, Amy Le Peilbet, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn, Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd line up for a team photo just before the semifinal match.
Michael Sohn/Associated Press
France's goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz, Laure Lepailleur, Laura Georges, Marie-Laure Delie, Sandrine Soubeyrand, Ophelie Meilleroux, from top left, and from bottom left, Sonia Bompastor, Louisa Necib, Camille Abily, Elise Bussaglia, Gaetane Thiney line up for a team photo just before the semifinal match.
Wambach Again! USA Advances to World Cup Final
US defeats France, will play for title on Sunday
By John Johnson, Newser Staff
United States' Abby Wambach celebrates her goal.
(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
United States' Heather O Reilly reacts after USA went up 1-0 in the first half.
(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
United States' Amy Le Peilbet and France's Camille Abily challenge for the ball.
(AP Photo/Yves Logghe)
(AP Photo/Yves Logghe)
United States' Lauren Cheney, left, celebrates scoring the opening goal with Amy Rodriguez.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
United States' Abby Wambach scores her side's second goal during the semifinal match between France and the United States at the Women's Soccer World Cup in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Wednesday, July 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Wambach broke a tense tie in the 79th minute Wednesday with a monstrous header — what else? — off of a Lauren Cheney corner kick. Cheney delivered the ball perfectly to the far post, and the 5-foot-11 forward soared over the scrum and pushed the ball past French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz. Wambach let out a scream and did a sliding sprint into the corner, where she was mobbed by her teammates.
It was Wambach’s third goal of the tournament and 12th of her career, tying fellow American Michelle Akers for third on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
Alex Morgan added an insurance goal in the 82nd, the first for the World Cup rookie. When the final whistle sounded, the Americans rushed onto the field. Wambach found U.S. coach Pia Sundhage and gave her a bearhug as the pro-American crowd of 25,676 serenaded the team with chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!”
“Abby, she’s just the best,” Sundhage said. “I’m very happy to have her in our team. Great.”
Despite the loss, the World Cup was a resounding success for the French, who made their first appearance in the semifinals and qualified for next summer’s London Olympics.
The French didn’t stick around to watch the Americans celebrate — and the party is sure to be even bigger back home. A thrilling win over Brazil in the quarterfinals captivated fans back home, with Hollywood celebs, other pro athletes and folks who’d never watched a soccer game before jumping on the U.S. bandwagon. Ellen DeGeneres wished the team good luck on Twitter before the game, dozens in the Phoenix airport were glued to TVs and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers tagged one of his Tweets with “worldcupfinalherewecome.”
Though the Americans are two-time World Cup champions, they haven’t made the final since Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain won it all in 1999. This American team will now play either Japan or Sweden in Sunday’s final in Frankfurt.
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