Cover story: U.S.ACHE U.S.ACHE – World Cup heartbreak for women and fans

@dailyThe Daily America's soccer sweethearts lose World Cup to quake-stricken Japan

Cover story: U.S.ACHE U.S.ACHE – World Cup heartbreak for women and fans

America’s feel-good soccer story was trumped by an even more uplifting version written in Japanese.

The late-game heroics that were the U.S. women’s team’s trademark belonged to Japan, which rallied twice to catch the Americans and then outlasted them on penalty kicks to win the World Cup.

Four months after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the island nation, killing thousands of people and triggering a nuclear crisis, Japan finally has reason to cheer.

“I truly believed this was our tournament to win,” said U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo. “At the same time, I think there is something bigger pulling for Japan.”

Japan had never beaten the Americans in 25 tries, even losing a pair of warmup matches a month before the World Cup. And twice yesterday, the U.S. held one-goal leads — once late in regulation, once late in overtime — to seemingly seal its first World Cup title since 1999.

But Japan, which ousted host and tourney favorite Germany in a quarterfinal, then trounced Sweden in a semifinal, wouldn’t wilt, disappointing the many newly smitten soccer fans across America.

“If there’s one country to lose to, it’d be Japan,” said Ryan Park, 32, who crammed into a New York City bar that’s a favorite of soccer fans, Nevada Smith’s, to watch the match.

“That country may need it more than we do. With that said, I’m not happy about it.”

Across the United States, people who hadn’t heard of American striker Abby Wambach before last week joined hard-core supporters with fond memories of 1999 in bars, restaurants and living rooms to root for the red, white and blue.

And when the U.S. lost, it stung just as badly as it did when the men’s team was eliminated by Ghana in last year’s World Cup or when the U.S. men’s hockey team lost in overtime to Canada in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

“The U.S. should have won the game. I think the Japanese had a lot of heart. ... But the U.S. 100 percent, times a million, should have easily won that game,” said Brenn Zielinski, 23, a grad student and lifelong soccer player who joined the throng at Nevada Smith’s.

Shannon Stinson watched at the Highbury Pub in Milwaukee. She has family members from Japan, and hoped the Japanese team’s victory might lift a few spirits in a country that continues to recover from a devastating earthquake. Still, Stinson had a hard time putting her disappointment into words.

“I’m at a loss,” Stinson said, and then paused. “It’s all right. It’s good. I think it’s done a good job of rallying the crowd to women’s football, and football in general.”

Fans were watching everywhere, from New York’s Times Square to Major League Baseball clubhouses.

After beating the Kansas City Royals yesterday, a handful of Minnesota Twins players hung around to watch the dramatic finish. Shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka watched in another room, a bet with manager Ron Gardenhire hanging in the balance.

If the Americans won, Gardenhire would make Nishioka wear a T-shirt that read, “I love American women.” If the Japanese won, Gardenhire was going to have to wear a shirt of Nishioka’s choosing.

Nishioka had the last laugh, coming back in the clubhouse to playfully taunt his teammates.

Others were left with a mix of disappointment and pride — including at the University of Portland in Oregon, which held a watch party to cheer on former Pilots players Megan Rapinoe and Stephanie Cox.

“Even though they lost, I’m so proud of the United States, and I’m so proud of Megan and Stephanie,” said Portland player Danielle Foxhoven.

Celebrities were captivated the women’s team’s exploits, too.

“Was awesome to be in the Atlanta airport with all the TVs surrounded by throngs watching women’s soccer,” TV journalist Lisa Ling posted on Twitter.

“Tough loss for USA Women’s soccer. Last minute goals a killer,” tweeted Jack Welch, former boss of General Electric.

“Now, if only our #political leaders would play as nobly as #women soccer players!” added David Gergen, a senior political analyst for CNN.

Back at Nevada Smith’s, a large Japanese contingent reveled in their unlikely victory.

Nina Ko, 30, a Japan national who lives in New York, is not usually a soccer fan, but said, “We had the earthquake and this is why I’m here.” She said the victory “would give people power in Japan.”

— Associated Press, with Sarah Ryley