Olympic Soccer 2012: How the U.S. Women Averted Disaster Against Canada

The United States women defeated Canada in extra time to avoid an upset in the Olympic semifinals.

In the 122nd minute, Alex Morgan headed home the game-winner, clinching the game for the Americans, 4-3. It was a great header, and it helped the USWNT avoid the coin flip known as a penalty shootout.

Losing to Canada would've been a disaster for the United States, but they managed to escape it.

First, the rivals' history made the USWNT the heavy favorite. They hadn't lost to Canada since 2001, spanning 26 matches with only four draws.

Canada hadn't been able to touch their CONCACAF rivals for the longest time, but to them, this game felt different. Coach John Herdman called out the Americans for "illegal tactics," trying to gain every edge possible before the match.

Whether it worked or not, the United States came out flat. They trailed at half time for the first time this tournament, and they looked a step too slow for the first 45 minutes. Again, this match just felt a little different.

Then, the USWNT pulled a goal back. It looked like they had righted the ship, until Canada's Christine Sinclair found the net in the 67th minute. The Americans leveled again, before Sinclair finished her hat trick with a good header.

It looked like the United States were in some trouble, but the referee awarded an indirect kick inside the penalty area for the Canadian goalkeeper holding the ball too long. It was an unusual call, but it certainly changed the game.

The referee correctly awarded a penalty on the ensuing shot, after the ball struck an arm of a Canadian defender. Abby Wambach coolly buried the penalty, and the Americans were off the hook.

If those two calls didn't happen, the United States could've fallen short once again. The clear-cut best women's team in the world would've choked when it mattered most for the second straight year.

Against (arguably) its biggest rival, which has doubled as a punching bag for the better part of this millennium, the United States looked like they were going down.

They pulled this victory out of nowhere, and it's a good thing. The loss would've been devastating to the women's national team.

Now, they have a chance to do what they came to do: win a gold medal while avenging last year's loss to Japan.

In one match, the USWNT can achieve both of its goals. They're undefeated in the tournament, and they have one match left to win. Rather than a disappointing semifinal loss, they have a legendary win and a ton of momentum heading into the gold medal match.

The United States is the best team. They just need to play like it.