Women's World Cup 2011: Can't Be Denied! US Overcome Odds for Dramatic Win

If you were watching the U.S. Women's improbable comeback victory against Brazil, you would have thought the game was played on American soil. Tens of thousands of fans were chanting "U-S-A," cheering the American women on. It was hard to imagine that this game was played in Dresden, Germany.

That is what happens, though when the entire soccer world was witnessing what looked to be an atrocity on the field, as the Brazilians were just seconds away from sealing a 2-1 controversial victory, in which the word controversial was too kind. 

Leading 1-0 thanks to a 2nd minute own goal, the Americans were hanging on to their advantage until Brazilian superstar Marta looked to be taken down by Rachel Buehler.

However, after replays, it looked like both players made a play on the ball. Despite this, the referee not only awarded Brazil a penalty kick, but gave Buehler a red card and sent her off the field.

The call was horrific in its own right, but that was only part of the fun.

American goalie Hope Solo managed to save the ensuing penalty kick, stopping Cristiane. As she and her teammates began to celebrate, though, the ref called for the kick to be retaken for reasons that are still officially unclear. Marta this time took the kick, and did not miss, tying the game at one.

Down to only 10 players, the Americans managed to control play as the two teams ended regulation tied at one. That's when Marta for Brazil showcased her amazing skill, putting a ball in to give her team a 2-1 lead. This goal, too, had its own controversy, as it appears Brazil may have been offside on the ensuing attack.

With so many bad calls going their way, playing a woman down and having the unenviable task of having to get a goal against one of the world's best teams, no one would fault the American women for giving up hope. However, the team continued to fight on.

Though the majority of the crowd was German, it didn't stop them from fully supporting the Americans who were trying to tie the game against a Brazilian team that was feigning injury and doing whatever they could to break the rhythm of the game. With just one minute to go, it appeared the U.S. women would leave the field as losers, thanks to officiating that could easily be described as a joke.

It was when the moment appeared darkest when Megan Rapinoe sent an absolutely perfect cross into the Brazilian box that was somehow headed in by 31-year-old Abby Wambach to score a tying goal in the final seconds of extra time.

The tying goal was a miracle but the Americans then needed to take part in a shootout in order to secure a berth in the semifinals. It seemed like a fitting end to the contest, given that this was the 12th anniversary of Brandi Chastain's goal that gave the American women the 1999 World Cup title. 

Just like Chastain, the 2011 American women were perfect as Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Wambach scored on the Americans first three opportunities.  

Down 3-2 in the shootout, Brazilian Daiane had to score to keep pace. Hope Solo had something to say about that, though, as she saved the ensuing kick and continued to erase the memories of her own personal disaster of the 2007 World Cup. 

After Megan Rapione and Francielle of Brazil traded goals to make it 4-3, it came down to Ali Kriger, a woman who five years ago nearly died of a life threatening illness to send the American side to a miraculous comeback. A calmly and perfectly placed shot to the lower left corner of the goal gave the Americans the win in what is one of the most improbable victories in World Cup history.

Despite all the odds against these women, from horrific officiating to playing with 10 women for nearly an hour, the Americans never gave up.  Their never say die attitude was surely tested, but the last minute goal and perfect shootout have sent the Americans into a semifinal game with France on Wednesday.

The women will be favored against the French and will hopefully be playing in the finals next week. No matter the outcome of the rest of this tournament, though, these American women have created a memory that will never be forgotten. Just like Landon Donovan, who a year ago scored his own miracle goal in the World Cup, the 2011 Women's team will go down in history. 

They will forever serve as an example that no matter the odds, no matter the injustice served upon you, never ever give up.