In Japan, an overflowing cup of pride

TOKYO — For Japan, this was a break from its own victimhood. Because of its women’s soccer team, thousands packed bars here during vampire hours. They chanted their country’s name. They chewed on towels and covered their eyes. Finally, they went wild with joy.

Japan’s penalty shootout victory over the United States on Sunday didn’t so much rekindle Japan’s national pride — even in mourning, that never ebbed — but it gave this recovering country a reminder of why that pride existed in the first place.

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Women’s World Cup: Abby Wambach propels the U.S. women to 3-1 win over France in semifinals

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany – Three days after her stunning late-game goal saved the U.S. women’s soccer team from elimination in the World Cup, Abby Wambach once again leapt high into the air with the Americans’ chances hanging on her forehead.

And once again, Wambach was on target. Her goal in the 79th minute — a header off a corner kick from Lauren Cheney — broke a 1-1 tie Wednesday and propelled the United States to their first World Cup final since 1999 with a 3-1 win over France in the semifinals.

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U.S. soccer is ready for Spain, but looks ahead to Gold Cup

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Over the next four days, the U.S. national soccer team will play Spain and Canada, opponents offering a vast gulf in quality and pregame fervor.

Spain captivated the planet last year in South Africa, playing with elegance and class in winning its first World Cup. With a roster featuring artistic geniuses from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, La Roja has retained soccer’s top ranking and forged a deserved place in the annals of the modern game.

Canada hasn’t qualified for a World Cup in a generation, sits between Estonia and Latvia at No. 76 in the FIFA rankings, and hasn’t beaten the United States since Landon Donovan was 3 years old (1985).

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