USA Women’s Soccer Team Wins Olympic Gold Medal [PHOTO]

The USA women’s soccer team has won the gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The American women were victorious after defeating Japan 2-1 in regulation time in front of a record crowd of over 80,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The United States team took the 1-0 lead after scoring from a header in the eighth minute. Despite taking the lead, the USA team was almost immediately under pressure, forcing Hope Solo to make a spectacular save to force the ball on to the crossbar. Plus, US defender Christie Rampone had to clear the ball off the line to keep the 1-0 lead at half-time.

In the 54th minute, Carli Lloyd scored her second goal of the match after a lovely run and a pinpoint shot into the corner of the net.

Just when the US seemed like it was coasting to victory, Japan pulled one back in the 63rd minute after a goalmouth scramble. From then on until the final whistle, there were plenty of goalmouth scrambles and end-to-end action in an altogether pulsating match.

The United States lost the 2011 Women’s World Cup Final to Japan, but today they bounced back and deservedly won the gold medal. And, as a result, will help the continued growth of soccer in this country.

After the match ended, an Olympic ceremony was held on the pitch where Canada’s soccer players were awarded the bronze medal. Japan collected the silver medal from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, while the gold went to the United States of America. All three countries were magnificent in this tournament, playing a superb brand of soccer that has certainly won over a ton of new fans to women’s soccer.

Throughout this entire tournament and especially today, the United States women’s soccer team proved that they are the best in the world. All of them are heroines. All of them are role models. Yes, they were incredibly fortunate to have advanced in the semi-final against Canada, but they were behind three times in that game, as well as down 2-0 against France in their opening game. But in both instances, they overcame the odds.

Congratulations to the USA women’s soccer team. You are true champions!