There’s nothing that sours newly acquired soccer fans — like the millions who were swept up in the throes of the U.S. women’s miraculous comeback against Brazil a week ago — faster than a penalty kick shootout. It’s a test of skill and mental fortitude that seemingly has nothing to do with what transpires on the field over the 120 minutes beforehand.
Except that in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final, the game itself had everything to do with how the U.S. women faltered at the spot against Japan after twice surrendering one-goal leads. The fact that they had been through a shootout seven days before against Brazil was a convenient excuse but not the biggest reason.
Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori likely knew that the first U.S. kicker, midfielder Shannon Boxx, was going right; she certainly had the chance to scout that Boxx had done so against Brazil. But after a perfect strike against Brazil, Boxx’s poor execution this time around — shooting into no man’s land halfway between the side and the center — was why Kaihori dove past where she needed to be but still got a boot on the ball to make the save.
Carli Lloyd, who went second for the United States, didn’t even test Kaihori, breaking the most fundamental rule for any penalty kick taker: force the keeper at least to make a save. Lloyd instead echoed Roberto Baggio’s spectacular failure for Italy in the 1994 World Cup, sending her shot soaring into the stands above and behind the goal.
Did her shank come about because of indecision after converting against Brazil? More likely it was a product of fatigue from player who was gassed and should have been substituted out before the end of regulation.
The result was academic by the time Tobin Heath made it three misses in a row, with the United States unraveling in the same fashion Brazil had against a steely and determined U.S. side in the quarterfinals. The Japanese resolve against the Americans was equally admirable and formidable.
And even though it may be not be satisfying to those who cannot fathom how the team that plays the best in soccer over 90 or 120 minutes doesn’t always win, there was no shame in having it determine who would be world champion.
