Maravilha's bobble in the fifth minute and Michelle Akers added a late penalty kick, but it was goalkeeper Briana Scurry s exceptional play that paved for the United States to defeat Brazil before 73,123 in a Women's World Cup semifinal at Stanford Stadium this afternoon. The U.S. advanced to Saturday s championship match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. against China, which thumped Norway 5-0. The U.S got the only goal it needed in the fifth minute after midfielder Julie Foudy drove a ball from the deep left corner. Maravilha jumped and got both hands on the ball, but it popped loose and Parlow headed it home from three yards. Scurry made six saves to earn her 52nd career shutout.
Brazil is an excellent team.
She dove into a crowd to punch one ball away and tipped a 35-yard shot by Nene over the net in the first half. She is extremely athletic, she s extremely dependable. And just knowing that, we as defenders are going to make mistakes, but knowing that Bri s behind us makes all the difference in the world. She s the best keeper in the world. Scurry s heroic were important because the U.S. was hardly sharp offensively for much off the match.