With two minutes to go in stoppage time in the quarterfinal match of the Women’s World Cup 2011, Brazil was leading the United States 2-1. As the U.S. offense advanced for its last possible possession, the crowd in Dresden chanted “U-S-A!” But on ESPN, the announcer Ian Darke was already calling it. “It will go down as the U.S.A.’s worst performance ever in the Women’s World Cup,” he told his viewers: going home a top-eight loser in the quarters.
Then, in the final seconds, with Brazilian players feigning injury and the goalie taking her time with every touch, the midfielder Megan Rapinoe got the ball and sent it soaring: a perfect cross-field pass that landed square against the forehead of Abby Wambach, who nodded the ball just past the right goal post to tie the game.