2012 Summer OlympicsSoccerVideo

Watch Alex Morgan Beat Canada, Put The U.S. In The Gold Medal Match Against Japan

by Glenn Davis | 5:41 pm, August 6th, 2012

Well, that was… ridiculous, for one. Soul-crushing for Canada, for another. Back-and-forth, nail-biting – there are a ton of adjectives one could use, but in the wake of the U.S.’ 4-3 extra time (and the winning goal came in stoppage time of extra time, so… extra-extra time?) win over Canada to move to the gold medal Olympic women’s soccer match, none of them seem like quite enough, so we’ll just call the game – and Alex Morgan’s header to win it when the the match was a matter of seconds from going to penalty kicks to decide it – spectacular.

Because it was. The performance of American midfielder Megan Rapinoe, whose two scores kept the U.S. in it? Spectacular. Canada’s Christine Sinclair, who tallied all three of Canada’s scores? Phenomenal. The stretch where the teams combined for four goals in 13-odd minutes of game action? Dizzying. And Morgan, who keeps coming up with big plays and looks poised to be the team’s – and maybe the world’s – biggest star for years to come (and let’s not forget the terrific setup from Heather O’Reilly either)? She just keeps getting better. For Canada, though, it can’t get much worse. Watch Morgan’s deciding goal below. What a game. Wow.

Tom

As a Canadian, I’d say it’s more confounding than disappointing.

How can you write this article without mentioning the insane delay of game called on the Canadian goalie?

With Canada leading 3-2 the Canadian goalie was called for delay of game, and the U.S was awarded a free kick inside the 18 yard box. When has a delay of game call ever resulted in a free kick inside the box?

Absolutely strange.

I’ve heard of a yellow card being handed out, but never a free kick in the box.

Of course that free kick hit a Canadian defender in the arm and the U.S was awarded a penalty shot that Wombach converted to tie the game. Great game, amazing finish, but extremely questionable refereeing.

That may be the first time in the history of soccer that a delay of game penalty was called without a warning, and resulted in a free kick inside the box.
Capttonytomahawk

it was an absolute bull$h1t call. I think the referee was mentally challenged individual or was paid by the US to rule in favour of the American. Absolute crap call.
Wot1320

You didn’t even mention the non-call with the hand ball by the U.S. defender in the penalty box earlier. Which, I think, was the proper call. But to then call the hand ball by the Canadian player after the indirect kick was suspect.
Editor

So the Olympic games stands for amateur sports, integrity, fair play, blah blah blah.

But…

Olympic boxer knocked down 6 times still wins fight

Absolutely bizarre refereeing in U.S/Canada soccer game

Cyclist purposely falls to force a restart and then wins a medal

Carmelo Anthony gets punched in the sack

Italian boxer Clemente Russo turns his boxing match with Jose Larduet into a wrestling match and wont stop holding him…still wins

I realize that there are millions of dollars at stake and this is an unfortunate part of the Olympics, but can we recognize the Olympics for what they truly are?

Host countries almost always lose money…ask Athens. Medals can be bought. Some referees are corrupt. And the IOC is only concerned with money.

I love the Olympics as much as the next guy, but this is not a celebration of integrity by any stretch of the imagination.
Duffbeer9

Hats of to the USA soccer team for never quitting , it was the greatest soccer match i have ever seen . I hpoe that this does’t come off as sour grapes , but the refs were absolutely horrid. ball out on end line,corner US , 3 times US fouled orhandball in their 18yd bax NO CALL, 11Mins. left in reg. time , ref call free kick inside the box and then awards a penalty on a ball to hand hit.with 11 left the Us were never out of this game and I believe it was an absolute shame the ref. had to mark on this game , and not let the players settle it .

Team Canada congrats !!! you played like true champs we are so PROUD!!!! to Team USA congrats you also played like the Champions you are! as for the refs SHAME!!! you truely blew it!!! your’e stupidity or Bias put a TARNISH on one of the best soccer matches of all time,, SHAME!!!
Bsteirer

the hand ball in the box on megan rapinoe wasn’t called becuase her hand wasn’t extended in an unnatural position, where the handball called on the canadian defender, you could clearly see her arm extended. it was a fair call.
Eagle3

I feel sorry for the Canadian Womens Soccer Team. I am sorry they lost to a Superior Team. I am Sorry they Tried to CHEAT by telling the Goalie to DELAY the Game and hold the ball after they got a warning. I am sorry they feel they had to cheat to win. Sometimes when you try to be the Screwer, you end up be the screwed. Maybe next time. Bring your best and play by the rules. You might win.