DEVELOPING: Team USA's Uphill Battle Against Brazil aka Surviving "The Dresden Screwjob..."

Okay, let's face it...

The US soccer squad got absolutely screwed in their quarterfinal against Brazil...

After having a 1-nil lead in the second half, a red card was called against Rachel Buehler holding the opposition from a scoring opportunity. That makes it 10v11 and a penalty kick situation...

The penalty kick was next...
((HT: FIFA/youtube))


So Solo leaves her line early, which every goalie in the world does...
Rekick, goal, and we're tied...
((HT: ESPN/FIFA/youtube))


The best the Stars and Stripes could do is hold on through overtime and PK's...
It was very small consolation that the Brazil side, and especially Marta, were booed at every opportunity handling the ball for the remainder of the contest.

But, with an offsides call omitted, in the 92nd minute, Marta registered her second goal of the game- Brazil picked up the 2-1 lead.
((HT: ESPN/FIFA/youtube))


Add to that the gamesmanship by "injured" players in the second 15-minutes, and the HQ will go ahead and call this the "Dresden Screwjob..."

But Megan Rapinoe sends a ball into the box in the second minute of extra time and Abby Wambach sends it into the net to force PK's...

On the 12th anniversary of the 1999 WWC victory in PK's over China, Ally Krieger's PK shot in the top of the 5th frame gets the US into the semi-finals...

Poetic justice for the red, white, and blue...