NFL
By: Jeffrey Newholm
“What is physics?”
An ambitious competitor in Student Jeopardy gave this seemingly correct response to then-host Mayim Bialik’s answer: “Einstein said this was the sole foolproof science.”
Nope. Correct response: “What is mathematics?”
Rather unfortunate news for those of us who know math isn’t their best subject. However, when stepping onto the pitch, a woman must know her geometry for angles and shots. Thankfully for fans of the US Women’s National Team, a simple algebraic equation reinforces the kickers’ status of the globe’s #1 team:
(3-1) + (3-1) = Two excellently executed matches to begin the next phase of Emma Hayes’ gold-medal captaincy. A quick clean-sheet analysis of both contests will help casual fans who may have been distracted by American Football (but hopefully will be back in the stands next year).
US vs. Iceland 1: Austin
When humans first arrived in what is now Texas’s capital, they must have wondered at the scope of land and dryness of heat amid the massive American landmass.
Once we built the highways and stadiums, it seemed that there was little awe left in Texas.
Until that is, the formidable American kickers hosted a fierce Icelander foe.
In Q2, the proud, spacious, and beautiful home of MLS’s Austin FC, a modestly numbered but vociferously determined fandom watched their idols fend off Icelander tries before Alyssa Thompson scored on what USWNT’s official X account correctly called an “Absolute LASER” into the corner.
With the game seemingly in a comfortable status considering American keeper Alyssa’s Naeher’s superb skill, the Europeans instead struck with a biting goal from Selma Magnúsdóttir that easily evaded Naeher, despite the keeper’s perfect dive.
All hope for a triumph then seemed absent. Not for a lack of skill from the Americans, but rather from a simple diminishingof time. Incredibly, at the 85th minute, Jaedyn Shaw knocked in a slow-motion ball that eluded Iceland at point-blank of the goal line.
As if this excitement was not too much for the continental US’s largest state, Olympic hero Sophia Smith added the slaying blow at the waning 88th minute.
One of the beauties of soccer, or any sport, is that there is no final accomplishment. Another goal, be it a gold medal or World Cup, is always on the hedonic horizon. It would be but three days later that the Icelanders had another opportunity to down their US nemesis.
And in that matchup, a brilliant hook almost knocked out America in the first round.
US vs Iceland 2: Nashville
It was not quite the music city miracle two, but Iceland’s Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir’s corner kick, placed perfectly into the American net’s corner at the 31st minute, could have had a similar invigoration of a football club.
If, that is, the US side did not follow with a poised response.
The American footballers played with an extreme offense emphasis in the second half, giving Iceland but a sole legitimate chance to double their advantage. Thankfully, the official charged Iceland with a foul in the buildup to any potential shot. In the 72nd minute, the beautiful game’s best team continued its inevitable dream. On a tic-tac-toe passing sequence, Lynn Williams scored the equalizer.
During minute 76, Lindsey Horan tapped in the lead goal off an ideal pass from Williams.
Lastly, and best of all, Emma Sears completed a hectic sequence with her first national goal in her first international appearance. After a rather unlikely Icelander shot went well wide, full time arrived.
While the Americans celebrated and the Icelanders again left the pitch frustrated, drumbeating and flag-waving fans celebratedagain in the streets of their home city.
Football, sure, is a global game.
Arguably, the global game. The US is no longer multiple pitches ahead of each opponent.
Yet, for two more warm nights in a year fading to darkness, any student could make Einstein proud with a simple realization about America’s still-present women’s soccer might.
The team with the most goals won twice more.
