FIFA Women's World Cup: United States Overcome Adversity, Win Epic Quarterfinal

This was undoubtedly one of the greatest games, men or women, I have ever watched.

The United States, with the ref against them, but the entire crowd in Dresden, Germany on their side, avenged a 2007 semifinal loss against Brazil to win the quarterfinal 5-3 in a penalty shootout and advance to Wednesday's semifinal.

The U.S. got off to a great start, with Shannon Boxx's cross to Abby Wambach being deflected in by Brazil's Daiane to give the Stars and Stripes a 1-0 lead in the second minute.

After that, the United States continued to look strong and kept Brazil from getting anything going, but Australian referee Jacqui Melksham had a card to play for Brazil—literally.

Rachel Buehler was sent off after she went down with five-time World Player of the Year Marta in the box. There was no malicious intent and there was no reason for the red card, which gave a penalty kick to Brazil.

Hope Solo made a wonderful save on Cristiane, but a redo was given for encroachment at the top of the box. It was very tight and raised a lot of questions in the press box amongst the commentators. Marta, who was quickly becoming a villain amongst the crowd, put in the redo.

The rest of the match saw some questionable calls from Melksham. Marta pulled down an American player despite being on a yellow card already and was not sent off. Megan Rapinoe was carded in the stoppage time of the second half, despite winning the free kick. The questionable calls would continue later.

The Americans were able to repel Brazil for the rest of the second half and looked the better team despite being down a player for 25 minutes. The game ended 1-1 and went to extra time.

Right at the start of the extra half hour, Marta put in a cross that came from a player who received the ball in an offside position. The goal, her 14th World Cup goal, tied her with Birgit Prinz of Germany for the most World Cup goals all-time.

The US fought and fought but could not catch a break. After the goal, Brazil seemed content to milk the clock. It got to a point of ridiculous acting, especially when Erika was stretchered off late in the second extra time and then ran back onto the field moments later.

Carli Llyod's shot over the crossbar in the 118th minute seemed to be curtains for the Americans, with many ready to call for repercussions against the ref.

However, much like the U.S. men got their goal late last year against Algeria, the women had life left in them.

Solo grabbed a save in the 122nd minute and sent the ball up the field. Megan Rapinoe got the ball out on the left flank and let fly a cross to the back post, where Abby Wambach was able to beat Andrea to the ball and head home the latest goal in World Cup history, sending the game to a shootout after a 2-2 draw.

The shootout came 12 years to the day that the United States bested China in a shootout in the 1999 World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Shannon Boxx originally had her shot saved, but Andrea was called for encroachment, allowing Boxx to put the redo home. Cristiane then leveled. Marta and Carli Lloyd both netted in the second round. The Americans took a 3-2 lead after Wambach converted and Daiane was stopped by Solo. Substitute Francielle kept Brazil alive after a Megan Rapinoe goal, but Alex Kreiger finished off the 5-3 shootout triumph for the US by sending one into the bottom corner.

The Americans are in the semifinals for the sixth time running, dating back to the first World Cup in 1991. They play France on Wednesday in the semifinals in Monchengladbach. The winner gets the winner of Sweden and Japan in Sunday's final. The Americans, the top ranked team in the world, are certainly favorites to be the new champions. Two-time defending champs and this year's hosts Germany were eliminated Saturday by Japan.

Pia Sundhage's team no doubt earned one of the most impressive wins in the history of men's and women's soccer on Sunday. Down a player for 55 minutes against an incredible team with the five-time reigning World Player of the Year and down 2-1 in stoppage time of extra time, they level and win in penalties.

That is simply unbelievable.