Abby Wambach

[0713soccer]

July 13, 2011, 3:35 PM ET

The U.S. didn’t need a miracle against France in its Women’s World Cup semifinal, just a few more doses of its trademark never-say-die attitude. And now the Americans are moving on to their first final since 1999.

They prevailed 3-1 on Wednesday, but the scoreline didn’t come close to telling the whole story. The U.S. was outplayed for some excruciatingly long stretches during the match yet again found a way to push through for the victory.

Abby Wambach, as has become her habit, was in the center of things, heading home the game-winner in the 79th minute after Sonia Bompastor had canceled out Lauren Cheney’s opener. Substitute Alex Morgan capped off the scoring with an insurance tally three minutes later.

It was a match that in many ways mirrored the Americans’ quarterfinal triumph over Brazil. Once again, the U.S. got off to a dream start, courtesy of Cheney’s goal in the ninth minute. Carli Lloyd found Heather O’Reilly in space on the left wing and her cross was deftly touched home by Cheney.

Unfortunately for the Americans, the similarities didn’t end there, as the French midfield soon took control. The U.S. central tandem of Lloyd and Shannon Boxx was soon outnumbered by its French counterparts, with Louisa Necib continually finding space between the U.S. midfield and defensive lines. One such opportunity in the 30th minute saw her set the table for Gaetane Thiney, only for her attempt to be saved brilliantly by U.S. keeper Hope Solo.

Solo was a mere spectator three minutes later, but fortunately Bompastor’s long-range shot from Necib’s short free kick hit the bar.

Yet the French were undeterred, and while there was an element of good fortune about their 55th-minute equalizer, it was a fair reflection Les Bleus’ dominance. Bompastor received the ball on the left wing, and her telling cross just missed connecting with Thiney. But with Solo needing to respect the attacking run, she was forced to stay on her line, and the ball proceeded to sneak inside the far post.

At this point, the French seemed poised to carry on and win the match, but a pair of inspired substitutions by U.S. manager Pia Sundhage helped turn the game around. Sundhage brought on Morgan for Amy Rodriguez, and then Megan Rapinoe for Lloyd. Sundhage also had Cheney slide into the center of midfield.

The changes weren’t instantaneous, and Elise Bussaglia went close for France in the 64th minute, but her shot was deflected wide by Christie Rampone. Yet the fresh legs forced France to at least respect the U.S. attack again. Rapinoe in particular began to get on the ball and test France’s backline with some crosses. Cheney also provided Boxx with some much needed support in the center of midfield.

Yet it was from a trademark U.S. set piece that it took the lead. Cheney’s corner kick found Wambach at the far post, and with French keeper Berangere Sapowicz nowhere to be found, Wambach towered above the rest of the French defense to power home her header, giving her goals in three consecutive matches.

France nearly pulled a goal back just two minutes later when substitute Eugenie Le Sommer nodded Laure Lepailleur’s ball just wide. It proved a crucial miss, as the U.S. then put the game away three minutes later. Wambach’s inch-perfect knockdown was collected by Rapinoe, whose pass released Morgan into space. The U.S. forward still had plenty of work to do, but her delicate chip over the advancing Sapowicz was perfectly placed and the celebrations could begin.

Now the U.S. is poised to win its first World Cup in 12 years, and the team is proving tougher to kill than Superman and James Bond rolled into one. It doesn’t seem to matter how little possession the Americans have or how many shots are launched at their goal. The U.S. will find a way. Now there’s only one game to go.

from: http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist/carlisle_jeff/id/6765815/women-world-cup-us-never-say-die-attitude-too-much-france

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Abby Wambach was born on June 2nd, 1980 according tohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Wambach

June 2nd, 1980

6 + 2 +1+9+8+0 = 26 = her life lesson = what she is here to learn = Headers. Headshots. Fans. Popularity. In the news. Photos. Photogenic. Telegenic. Charisma. Personality.

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June 2nd, 1980

June 2nd

6 + 2 +2+0+1+1 = 12 = her personal year (from June 2nd, 2011 to June 1st, 2012) = Phenomenon. Phenomenal.

12 year + 7 (July) = 19 = her personal month (from July 2nd, 2011 to August 1st, 2011) = Radiant. Shining. Beaming. Vitality. Life force. Achievement. Attainment. Accomplishment. It’s my time to shine. Front and center. Achieving success.