America Women's Soccer Team Advances to World Cup Semi-Final
The United States soccer team has an opportunity to win the Women’s World Cup after beating Brazil in the quarter finals at the weekend.
The match attracted record numbers on Sunday as the most-viewed televised tournament game in 12 years.
Mac Nwulu, ESPN spokesman, said the game was watched in 2.6 percent of U.S. homes in the 56 largest media markets.
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According to Pia Sundhage, the coach of the U.S. team, viewers were given the chance to witness a story in the making.
“I have no words," Sundhage said on the U.S. soccer's official web site. "Phenomenal. The goal and then the penalties. Someone is writing this book. There is something about the American attitude to find a way to win. Unbelievable.”
U.S. forward Abby Wambach scored a dramatic winning goal on a frantic night in Dresden, Germany, with the penalty shot scored during overtime with just one minute remaining.
"Right now I'm the happiest person on earth. This American attitude of pulling everything together and bringing out the best performance in each other is contagious,” Sundhage said. “I am very, very proud and I'm very, very happy to be the coach for the U.S. team.”
Magic Jack, another of Team USA’s forwards shared the sentiments of her coach, saying she felt the team’s mentality helped them pull out a win.
"I really don't know what to say," Magic Jack said. "I think that is a perfect example of what this country is about, what the history of this team has always been. We never give up.”
The United States women’s soccer team has previously made it to six World Cup semi-finals, and have also won the tournament twice; although those wins were way back in 1991 and 1999.
The team will face France on July 13 for a chance to make it to the World Cup finals.
