2008 Olympics: U.S. Women's Soccer Quiz

Answer: Norway

It was the Americans very first game in 2008 Olympic play and they faced one of their biggest rivals, Norway. They lost 2-0. Norway scored both times early in the game, and the Americans were able to gain a handle on the match, but they couldn't find the back of the net.

Answer: Norway, Japan, New Zeland

The Americans were joined in their group by Norway, Japan, and New Zealand.
Norway was a familiar foe to the United States. In the 1990s, the Americans faced Norway in World Championships many times. Japan was no stranger to international competition. By the time the 2008 Games rolled around, the Japanese had proven to be a force to be reckoned with. This was the New Zealand squad's very first Olympics. They had made their entrance to world competition in 2007 at the women's World Cup.

Answer: False

The United States finished at the top of their group, with Norway as number two. They had fallen into extremely good fortune to get there. After losing to Norway, the Americans bounced back to defeat Japan 1-0 [goal by Carli Lloyd]. At this time, Norway had beaten New Zealand 1-0 as well.

It was all down to the final matches of the group. The Americans triumphed and sailed through New Zealand 4-0 [goals by Angela Hucles, Amy Rodriguez, Lindsay Tarpley, Heather O'Reilly]. Norway, on the other hand, completely collapsed and Japan tore them apart with a score of 5-1.

This propelled the USA into the #1 spot in group.

Answer: Canada

The Canadians were no stranger to the US. With Canada's Erin McLeod in goal and their star Christine Sinclair on the front line, it was no doubt a tough match. The USA prevailed 2-1 in overtime play, sending the Canadians home from their first Olympic Games.
USA goals: Angela Hucles, Natasha Kai.
Canada goals: Christine Sinclair.

Answer: Japan

The USA faced Japan once again, leaving Brazil and Germany to have it out. There are no doubts that the Americans, once again, got lucky. Japan was certainly the easiest of the semi-final teams, though they were still no picnic. The Americans blazed through with a score of 4-2, while Brazil dominated Germany 4-1.
USA goals: Angela Hucles (2), Lori Chalupney, Heather O'Reilly.

Answer: 1-0

The Americans were facing Brazil for the first time in tournament play since the Brazilians had destroyed them 4-0 in the 2007 women's World Cup semi-final. It was, without a doubt, a gritty, teeth-grinding, grudge match. The Americans were the defending gold medalists, but they were going into the game as the underdog.

This would mark the first time in history that the USA women were tagged as the underdog in any match. The Brazilians were out for blood. They had come in second in the past two world competitions.

They didn't want to go for three. The match was a brilliant display of soccer. The Brazilians controlled the match, but the American defense was able to withstand them and the offense got multiple good chances of their own. Regardless, regulation play ended at a nasty 0-0. Play then moved to overtime.

The first period went by without a goal, but in the second half of overtime the USA broke through the Brazilian fence. One goal was all they needed to be crowned champions of the world.

Answer: Carli Lloyd

Carli Lloyd was a center midfielder. She placed a perfect shot that bent under the keeper's out-stretched arms. She would later be crowned U.S. Female Soccer Player of the Year [2008].

Abby Wambach was a huge name in soccer households, but she was not at these Olympics. In the final match before the team left for China [against Brazil ironically enough], Wambach was in a collision that resulted in a broken leg keeping her out of the Olympics. Lauren Cheney replaced her on the roster.

Angela Hucles stepped up in this tournament to fill Wambach's shoes. She led the team in tournament goals with 4-New Zealand, Canada, and 2 against Japan.

Amy Rodriguez was fresh out of college when she was named to the roster. She was known as A-Rod, and had incredible speed that shredded defenses. She scored once in these games, against New Zealand.

Answer: Hope Solo

Hope Solo is arguably the best keeper the United States had ever seen and was at the time, considered the best in the world. Her world class saves kept the United States in the tournament, and she shined in the gold medal match with multiple huge saves, including a reaction save near the end of the match.

Briana Scurry was the United States keeper in the late 1990s and was a hero in the 1999 women's World Cup.

Nicole Barnhart was the back up keeper on the American roster.

Erin McLeod was Canada's goalkeeper during these games.

Answer: Tobin Heath

Tobin Heath was 20 at the time of the 2008 Olympics. She attended the University of North Carolina. She did not play all that much in these games. Tobin Heath was most known for her Brazilian-like ball skills and her tendency to nutmeg players during games. In fact, her very first touch in her very first cap was a nutmeg.

Answer: Cat Whitehill

Cat Whitehill was ineligible for the Olympic roster because she tore her ACL earlier that year. She had medaled with the 2004 Olympic team, with the name Cat Reddick. Stephanie Cox, Heather Mitts, and Rachel Buehler were all defenders. Rachel Buehler was most likely Whitehill's replacement on the 2008 roster.