Pia praises her US Finalists
- Monday,
USA coach Pia Sundhage has praised the never-say-die attitude of her players after they set up an Olympic Final against Japan following a dramatic semi-final victory over Canada.
A last-gasp goal from Alex Morgan in the last minute of extra time saw USA beat their rivals 4-3 at Old Trafford even though Canada's Christine Sinclair scored a hat-trick.
Now Sundhage says her team are ready for anything Japan can throw at them in the Final at Wembley - with a gold medal at stake.
She said: "The way we won says everything about this team.
"The team refuses to lose and always finds a way to win. If you look in their eyes and listen to Abbey Wambach there is something special about this team. They seem to have an extra gear and it has been the same with the US team since 1991. It's a gift. I'm very proud of the way the players performed - and now we are going for gold."
Sinclair put Canada with a wonderful solo goal and also made it 2-1 with a header. But Megan Rapinoe twice hit equalisers, firstly direct from a corner and then with a thunderous long-range shot.
Another Sinclair header made it 3-2 to Canada but when keeper Erin McLeod was controversially penalised for holding the ball too long the US took full advantage. Their indirect free-kick struck Sesselmann on the arm - and Wambach scored from the spot.
It was all set for a dramatic finale - and Morgan did not disappoint as she headed home right at the end of extra-time.
USA now face Japan in the Final at Wembley on Thursday while Canada take on France in Coventry for bronze.
