WNT vs. Japan: Christie Rampone Reaction - July 18, 2011

[rahchaves]

Lol!!! It was a fun and happy day!! Japan <3

[fulbol11]

wise words from a wise captain.

going to miss her in the next WWC

[elite10soccer]

I was proud of the USWNT too. They never gave up, and inspired me to be apart of the team one day.When I saw them fighting to the finish I really realized I wanted to be them someday.

[11wormbig]

Good captain, humble and gave credit to the winning team.

[jennytalea]

Lots of mistakes finishing this match. In the runup to Japan's last goal Sawa was left completely alone in the midfield. There wasn't a US player within 10 yards of her. You can't give a player of her quality all that space to make a perfect delivery into the box, not when you have 5 minutes to win the cup! I was jumping out of my seat "Come on, put someone on her!" Doesn't make sense to me. Heartbreaking loss and I wasn't going to cry, but I had to eventually to get it out of my system.

[MrUsasoccerrules]

everyone is only congratulating japan because of their tsunami.

[mickeydavey]

@MrUsasoccerrules Schmuck.



[pugachev1]

RAmpone was the best American Player throughout the tournament. Without her in the back line, we would never have made it to the finals.

[iSwifty33]

no technical ability thats why usa lost if u know how to keep da ball when ur 1 up den u win buh usa are just all muscle and power while japan kept da ball looking for cracks

[BGSoccerMagic]

@iSwifty33 you have no idea what you are talking about, you really dont - there was plenty of moments when USA outdribbled and outpassed Japan, and both their goals came after exquisite passes.

[hoh8511no]

Win or lose we have shared every happy and sad moments with these beautiful ladies. I think that's something we cannot forget.

[marq89]

u guys played a hell of a game. i dont think you guys could of done anything better. i mean so many shots and three of them hit the post but it was obviously destined for japan to win though. great job though

[selenagomez1278]

I love you girls anyways because I don't care if you win or lose. That's what's soccer is about! you have to learn from it, move on, and put what you have learned to good use in other games. I'm proud of you girls for fighting hard and NEVER giving up!!! <3

[tinkothorne]

I'm so happy that Japan has a reason to celebrate. They deserve this victory, the woman never lost hope and fight on to win til the last kick

[skreets8956]

Cant wait till all these fake FUTBOL fans go away.

[DexterHaven49]

Wambach is the "unofficial" team captain, in my opinion, with Hope Solo next.

[FilipinoSnyper]

Such a stinging loss indeed. Hats off to Japan, well deserved, but I was rooting for the US all the way. If anybody who was watching the game on Sunday wasn't a fan of soccer before then they should now. Their road to the Finals has captured my heart and hopefully many others. Sure they couldn't capitalize on some of the many goals in the first half and had mistakes, but they played their best game of the tournament. Prepare for the Olympics next year and can't wait for redemption in 4 years!

[Dleger13]

You ladies played spectacularly and even if you didn't win the cup, you captivated the world and won over a nation! you should be proud of your performance and I eagerly await the Olympics!

[TheChristinasBoom]

I'm disappointed not because they lose is because they do so many mistakes that the game was awful but congrats to Japan u guys win not because are better than USA just because USA did a lot of mistakes.

[housecry]

I love this team and I couldn't be more heartbroken for them and for the USA. I plan on being an avid supporter of Women's Professional Soccer and follow the entire WNT to the London Olympics and the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada. I haven't followed a sports team before but you girls really stirred a passion for soccer in this country, especially women's soccer. I can't wait to watch the different teams. I hope the sport expands in America and I'm hoping my hometown gets its own women's team.

[laroca626]

What a great world cup this has been. Best I've ever watched! This team has inspired me more than they'll ever know. What great role models they are! They take defeat like the champions they are. If anyone questioned this teams heart and passion before the wwc I'm sure they don't anymore. Congrats to Japan, and here's to the 2012 Olympics! Bring home the gold!

[Aaznwannabee]

Well said Christie Rampone. i literally almost cried when they lost but its ok, that game was fair and you really can't say anything else..

[MsRonaldovanPersie]

@iloveuidiot77

Me too :(

[MsRonaldovanPersie]

@mgvortex66

I fully agree with you 100%

Woo!!! Canada 2015 here comes USA!!!

[dcunitedfan4ever]

tough

[morpheos111]

It's been a long time since a final in a World Cup final rattled me so much that I had to take breaks to calm down.What you see in Women's world cup compared to themens is that pure WANT , the barenuckled spirit of never want to give up til the dying minutes that so rarely can be seen in men's game these days. I hope that more and more countries put money into girls and women's sport so that we can have even more teams and even longer tournament, becouse this wasn't long enough!Congrats 2 Japan!

[mgvortex66]

I also will never forget this 2011 team as I connected with them in ways I never have before for a soccer team. I felt like it was my friends/family playing on that pitch and every high and low I was there with them. Cheer up USWNT, 2015 is our time and the olympics are just around the corner!

[biegner]

@mgvortex66 I agree! These women are not just great athletes and soccer players! Watching them, you could really see how much fun they were having too, and they were all extremely personable in interviews. I've never watched a team and thought, "I wish I were friends with these people," but they are all so great. Lot of fun to watch and cheer for. Here's to a Gold Medal in the Olympics!

[basketswoosh]

@shaqdaddy11 I agree 100% with your first comment. We had so many opportunities to score but just couldn't find the back of the net. It's so disappointing to lose to Japan after dominating the game.

[shaqdaddy11]

@basketswoosh And they always say in soccer. If you dont put your chances away, it can come back to bite ya.

[shaqdaddy11]

I still think Cheney was a big loss. I think her injury provented Pia from putting cheney in the midfield and morgan up front. Boxx and Carli were unable to controll the center of the park where japan is most dangerous.

[shaqdaddy11]

The hardest thing about such losses is the thought of letting a win slip out of your hands. I think they would have been happy if they lost 10-0 to japan because then you say "we lost to the better team". But when you absolutly dominate a team like the US did and then lose, its just tough to stomatch.

[biegner]

@shaqdaddy11 I imagine that this must be what France felt like. Japan channeled their inner-USA here. This game was just like every other US game, except, ya know, it was Japan who capitalized late to equalize. Hard not to feel happy for Japan. These two teams were THE most fun teams to watch all tourney. Couldn't have asked for a better Final match.

[shaqdaddy11]

@biegner And looking at Japan. They beat 3 of the best teams in this tornament. Its hard to say that they didnt deserve to be world champions. I mean they had a really tough road to the cup "Germany, sweden and USA".

[TheDarkAn]

What a great captain and person.. I'm honored to have been able to see this team in the World Cup. These girls are amazing players and all of them have inspired me to continue to fight in victory and defeat.

[angel909jc]

ahhh i still cant believe it after that brazil game i thought this team was ment for the cup but japan did what it did and got the job done... but hey they got second place which isnt so bad but yea its heartbreaking knowing we came this far overcoming that brazil game and losing in pks.... but japan has come back from there own devistation and i believe that what motivated them to win.., still im proud of our female usa soccer team we will the cup in canada ayyy =)

[Callie1327]

Such a classy hardworking team. What a great captain Christie is. I'm so proud of all their hard work.

[atzengruber]

I'm a 51 year -old-German having played/followed football all my life.If someone had told me 3 weeks ago I would watch "women soccer" I'd have laughed out loud. But these US girls really captivated me in a strange way after their win over Brazil (which I watched out of sheer boredom)and so I googled and you- tubed to find out more and what I did discover amazed me a lot: Beautiful girls, great personalities and competitive athletes-all in one team ! Solo,Krieger,Cheney,Morgan-the future is you!

[vaporterra]

USA almost had it but overall this tourney was a success. Last team to qualify, last team to lose the tournament. We did better than Sweden, who cost us the #1 spot in group C, we never gave up even with 10 against Brazil, and we proved that USA's womens team is still one of the best in the world. Just work a little bit harder and London 2012 and Canada 2015 will be ours. If only our mens team can make it to the finals of the world cup, and they could with LOTS of practice

[ADAJ3]

i like solo's, wambach's, and rampones' reactions, the said all the right things in defeat.

[jackki95]

They may have lost but they changed something in this country never before would we have seen them losing a top story on all the news stations, on newspapers even people who hate soccer watched it. Theyve changed how we see this game and their now America's Team its favorite team! Lets go for gold 2012 Olympics!!

[Caliente764]

theyre still number one to me! they got first place for perseverance!

[Zerfiar]

I hate this loss for them. I almost cried in Buffalo Wild Wings. These girls are my heros! as a guy who has been playing for 16 years I just wish i could be as good as them someday, heck! i would give everything just to spend a practice with them! This game still gives me a sick feeling!

four years and we'll tear it up again!

[natynj]

yesterday i was shocked...i really had to go out bcz i couldnt stand bein at home n watchin that game drift away...BUT........ this team gave me a lesson...a REALLY REALLY GOOD ONE...to never stop believing!....DEFF for Japan ..it was a power from ABOVE ..n nothing cant go againts......=)... I love the USWNT!! I DO!..and well Canada 2015...aint that far....this bus is just startin the journey ;) ..LOVE YOU ALL!!! THANK YOU...ALL!!!

[iloveuidiot77]

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!...I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE IT :(

[CardinalJiles]

i couldnt imagine having to sit and just take a loss like that. i wanted it so bad for them. they wanted it so bad. and those are both understatements. the brasil game is all for not, everything is all for not. and i hate most of america wont care about our efforts, just move on. oh well what can u do. we were so damn close. and the worse part is... gotta wait 4 more years

[ValerieWhitehillLAX]

@CardinalJiles I know its not the same thing, but we still have the Olympics next year! and without a doubt that this team is going to win! We cant forget that they are Olympic champions!! LETS GO USA!!

[wafflepalooza]

@CardinalJiles

I honestly cried last night because I feel the same way. The public eye will, unfortunately move on. BUT, this team has captivated me like no other. And by the looks of all these comments, they've captivated most of us. I KNOW I will never forget the 2011 team because of their spirit and personalities and winning attitudes. I feel like a proud mom with this team (even though they're all older than me haha) and I won't ever forget them.

[mj097]

@wafflepalooza well said :) i will always love these 21 players <3

[Puddles98216]

@CardinalJiles or we can wait for them to go for the gold medal in the olympics next summer

[biegner]

@CardinalJiles Hopefully, the WPS retains some steam during the Olympics next year. I'm excited to have been introduced to the WPS! (Already got tickets for the rest of Boston's home games and plan on the same next year!) And I'm stoked for the Olympics next year. It stinks, but I think Americans do understand and really appreciate the efforts. It was an incredible run. Americans might not care about soccer after this, but I think they understand and care about the women's team's strong effort.

[CardinalJiles]

@biegner well said. very well said.

[liquid1122]

@CardinalJiles So far I'm glad they're still getting love, cause I was kinda scared that most ppl would've immediately forgot everything that came before the final seconds of the final. Also yea, it's 4 more yrs but the olympics is just one more year. & With plently of games before the olympics in the qualifying stage, so the wait for a gold medal won't be so bad at least.

[CardinalJiles]

@liquid1122 yes yes yes. very true. i just got done watching abby and hope on letterman. they did a freaking media blitz today. and blitzkreg if u will. but i was thinking earlier today, its good the Olympics are right around the corner, they'll stay on everyone's mind. and even though it shouldnt matter, their beauty will help keep them fresh in people's mind. Olympics cant come soon enough

[technicolor444]

all of these interviews make me so sad.

much love for capt. rampone and the USWNT.

[sharys37]

great game i dont think tha tthey should be dissapointed at least they made it to the final

[annajapana]

gracious even in defeat. so proud of you girls, go USA!

[Yo0Yo0Man]

Great captain!

[DexterHaven49]

@Yo0Yo0Man This sounds like a politically correct canned speech to me. The captain in spirit of this team is Wambach. She's the natural captain and is treated like one by the other players.

[ShesAhKeeperx3]

@DexterHaven49 How long have you been following these ladies? If it's been a while, then your response to Christie Rampone is shocking. If you're a new fan, do some research and learn about WHO she is and WHAT she stands for before you start talking mess. Abby Wambach looks to THIS woman for motivation to continue. The US media focuses on Wambach because she's one of the team's leading scorers, but Chritie Rampone, in any game that these ladies have won, has been the most important reason

[ShesAhKeeperx3]

@DexterHaven49 Go back and check the Brazil game, she was the one that stopped Marta almost every time. Yesterday, she stopped a Japanese goal from happening when Hope Solo missed it. Please stop.

[DexterHaven49]

@ShesAhKeeperx3 Stop what? Commenting? That's not right. As if you are trying to stifle debate. And your points about what Rampone did were not the issue. I never said she did not stop players or goals. I hope she did -- that's what a defender does. If not, there would be a big problem. Your post reads like something out of left field. But if you want to compare individual plays instead, and not leadership qualities, then let's recall that Wambach scored in four straight games! Plus 2 PK's!