WWC: Our road to the final

Posted by: admin Tags: Abby Wambach, Amy LePeilbet, Brazil, Colombia, FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011, France, Japan, North Korea, Sweden Posted date: July 14, 2011 | 15 Comments

It has been such an incredible journey at my first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup and I am so excited to say that we have secured a place in the final against Japan on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany. The US WNT has not been in a World Cup final since 1999 and I am so proud to be a part of this team, who will be vying to be crowned World Champions! The team has shown so much heart and a unique fight to win throughout the entire tournament. I also think my game in particular has really improved as the tournament has progressed.

Our first match in Dresden was against North Korea, but I think my first appearance on that kind of world stage was accompanied by a fair bit of nerves. We were able to secure a 2-0 win, though, and I relaxed more in our next match against Colombia in Sinsheim. We beat them 3-0 and I started to feel more like myself on the pitch. But the group stage ended with a touch of heartbreak for the team, and myself in particular, when we fell 2-1 to Sweden in Wolfsburg to take second place in our group for the first time in US WNT history at the World Cup.

In that match, I thought I had some really good moments as a left back, which is a new position for me. However, perhaps the more highlighted moments of the match were when I had a penalty called on me that Sweden converted and free-kick that took a deflection off my thigh into our goal. But I was able to stay mentally tough and played solid despite those challenging moments. When the final whistle blew I was hurting – disappointed that we had lost the match and crushed about what had happened.

Thank goodness that game was not in the knockout rounds, and we were able to come back out and prove USA had no intentions of heading home early!

The second place finish in our group set up for a nail-biting match with Brazil in the quarter-finals. I owed it to the team to play like myself and be confident! I put the previous game behind me and played with guts and courage, as did my teammates. The crowd in Dresden was amazing, chanting “USA, USA, USA!” and supported us to the death. Pia had said she wanted me to play a full 90 minutes, which ended up turning into 120 minutes, including 55 plus minutes a man down. Our team has so much belief in one another and a never give up attitude. Abby Wambach scored an improbable and inspiring last-gasp header in extra time to bring the match into penalties. Nothing could stop us and we netted all five spot-kicks to book a semi-final meeting with France.

Wednesday’s match against France was much colder than the rest, and it rained the whole time. I was happy for that though, since two days rest was not much time in terms of recovery and hot weather would have only made it worse. I think the game was my best yet at this tournament, and our backline was certainly tested by France! It was such a nervy game, but we were able to pull off a 3-1 win and secure our ticket to the 2011 finals! Go USA!

WWC: The final story

When we arrived in Germany our number one goal was to win the World Championship. My belief in the possibility never wavered, even when we hit a few road bumps throughout the tournament. After all, this particular US WNT has never...

15 Comments for WWC: Our road to the final

Elizabeth

Hi Amy!

You are the best defender ever! (The Japanese were lucky to get out alive…JK!) And don’t forget brazil! they got it, and they got it good! finally: REVENGE! Cary was like early revenge on the Japanese team! You are TAKING Olympic gold! andi’m sure japan is getting their butt kicked. now that i’d like to see! !

Katie

Hey Amy,
I’d just like to say I am so inspired by the whole USWNT! The passion and heart you and the team showed throughout the world cup was awesome to watch!
You are one of my favorite players because you’re so soft-spoken and humble about your accomplishments! You’re one of the best defenders on the WNT and heck, you won defender of the year in the WPS and you’re still SO humble about it all!
I live in Illinois, but would LOVE to come watch a Breakers game or an Olympic qualifier if there is one nearby!! Thanks for representing the great state of Illinois and making us proud!!
It would be awesome if you could reply back!
katie.jean54@yahoo.com

Thanks for being inspiring!!

Katie

Jennifer

If meeting you is possible i wish i could be the first one! I would love to meet you and when i went to look for a jersey i told my mom to look for one with your name on it. To my uprise there wasn’t one:’( I want your jersey so bad that i’ve been asking my friend to look for one Boston Breakers or US i could care less i just really want one. I want to meet you so extremely badly that i’m trying to find a soccer game closer to Goshen Indiana wether it be in Chicago Detroit St. Luis. My dad says thats as far as we can go. Little does he know that you are my role model. I’ve been trying to to practice my soccer. I’m still not the best. But meeting you would be one of the most AMAZING things that would ever happen to me. When i first learned that my brother needed a heart transplant i took all of my sadness out through sports. the sports i took it out on were swimming and messing around with a soccer ball. I would love to meet you. I would probably burst into tears. meeting you seriously would be the greatest thing. (and getting a great for my brother) But to meet you I would die.. I want to meet you so bad. I hope you reply to me just having you reply would be amazing. thank you Good luck with soccer you’re AMAZING.

amy you are such a pretty girl gosh I have a crush xD

Louise

Thanks so much for being the amazing player you are!! You’ve made a fan out of me. You are certainly a fantastic role model and your story is inspiring. My friends and I have enjoyed your blogs and we hope to hear more from you in the weeks/months to come. We look forward to seeing you in the Olympics next year!!

The USWNT has taken the world by storm and you in particular have achieved ‘heartthrob’ status. Three cheers!

Tom

know this won’t change anything you must fell right now: thanks for 3 weeks of anticipation anytime the u.s. played, great games, emotional roller coaster rides, screaming my lungs out. love the way you play, the dedication! Being on the starting line-up in all 6 games is quite an achievement. after this world cup you have tons of fans in europa who’ll love to see you back again in london 2012!!! keep up the good work and you’ll be back in no time  cheers tom

Isabel

BTW Amy, I was being pounded (Buehldozer pounded) by my two year-old sister the Merdozer (much like Rachel Buelher the Buehldozer) and my sister Lucia, age 4. Just sayin’…
You are much nicer then they are.

Isabel

GO USA!!! We have had such a fun time watching you all during the world cup. We also saw you in Cary NC Earlier this year-in person! Though I didn’t meet you, and I’m a forward most of the time, I really like your playing style. I think you all did great in the World Cup, even if you didn’t win it. You’ll get it back!

Isabel

Elyse

Amy, you did amazing in the World Cup, your playing was just beautiful! I think playing on the back line, you don’t really get too much credit, but you’re amazing. Keep your head up high, girl, you did great!

Emily M.

AMY!
i hope you read this & reply !!!
you are my inspiration! you are also my favorite player of course, I have been playing soccer for what seems like my whole life (11 years) considering i am only 18! i watched every game of the world cup with anticipation, i even called out of work one day to watch..the reason why i call you my inspiration is because you have so much heart and passion for the game,watching you the past couple of days you reminded me of myself before i broke my shin . i broke it in the beginning of my senior year in high school i was out for the whole season, and i haven’t played since. i wish i could get back out there but unfortunately i cant play for college and or a league since we have no women’s league here in FL where i live. Im planning on making a trip to Boston to come to one of your games one of these days I would love to meet you ! is meeting you even possible? please write back

emilyjoy412@gmail.com

-Emily

Kim

Hi Amy,
It was a tough loss today, but overall, you and the backline have had a great tournament. Seriously–Rampone is amazing. Japan just had the magic today. I’ll definitely be following Boston in the WPS now!

Michelle

I thought you and your team played very well in this tournament; many very nerve-racking moments to lead to such an unfortunate event. Though it is a tough loss, you should all be so proud of how far you’ve gone and the amazing obstacles you’ve faced. Throughout the tournament your name seemed so familiar to me. Looking back at my senior year in high school (at the only records I still saved) I found that I played against you and the PR team. On one certain occasion you managed to score two goals against me. Fortunately for us, CG came back to beat PR a few weeks later. I hope to be given the chance to watch you in the future Olympics and World Cups. Congrats to you and the rest of the US team and good luck in your future!

Mariah

Amy!
You are quite a surprise, off the field your soft spoken and appear very sweet. On the field your whole persona changes, which is exciting to watch. =) You are a very inspiring person and interesting to watch play. I can’t imagine moving from a center back position to the left, it must have been a difficult transition, and even though there was some rough patches early on you have most gracefully transitioned into that position. Which many player can not easily say. Good luck to you and the girls today. Your my favorite player and I’m cheering for you as I’m sure everyone else is. Keep up the good work! We’re all watching.

Flo

Hey Amy,

I am just another german soccer fan who developed a little crush watching you play in the WC. (like many other guys and girls surely have). I wish you girls all the best for the match on sunday and I hope the your WC performance will further boost women’s soccer in the USA.

Good Luck

Nikki

You really are an amazing player, and I look up to you so much. It may be safe to say I’m one of your biggest fans, haha. Keep it up Amy(: GO USA!

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