ICHEOKU says it was such an exceptional performance that it was in fact gold medal deserving; and you wonder why they saved their best for last especially when it would have yielded them the gold. It was the type of performance which USA women national soccer team is known for, a world class, gold winning team's performance. But it came a little too late as it only yielded them the bronze medal and not the gold medal, because they second-guessed themselves when it would have mattered most. But a half loaf is better than no loaf at all; and we should deem it a case of "a medal is a medal" and celebrate their achievement as golden.
The gals finally showed up at the Tokyo Olympics and asserted themselves as the indisputable reigning champions, admitted playing for a third place. They showed Australia the kind of display which was lacking in their first encounter with them as well as Sweden and Canada. The Aussies also put up a nice display to prove that they are not an easy walkover and nearly forced the match into extra time. It was a beautiful game and the goals poured in 4:3, to the admiration of fans both in the United States of America and down under in Australia. Both teams should be proud of themselves for the stellar show which they put up, as they made their both countries very proud of them.
All the goals were brilliant, although the purple haired lesbian's second goal did it for ICHEOKU. It was both dashing and smashing; and in fact, reminded every soccer loving fan why they are addicted to the round leather game. It also sealed her record as a very intelligent goal scorer and if she retires now, as many expect she would do, the two goals which she scored against Australia to help USWNT win the third place bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be among her soccer playing career best. ICHEOKU says will congratulate Megan Rapinoe for "manning" up or rather "womanning" up and leading team USA women soccer to a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when all hope were nearly lost following the 3:0 trouncing by Sweden in their first game. ICHEOKU had criticized her then and by the same token, as an equal opportunity critic, will now congratulates her as well.
While all the players played their hearts out, ICHEOKU will particularly mention a formidable and in fact, the best player of the team as far as ICHEOKU is concerned. Crystal Dunn, who literarily commands every position she was assigned to, be it forward, midfield or defense is an awesome soccer player. In short, that gal is so dangerous and a complete menace to any opposing side, admitted she does not get the coverage and encomiums which she rightly deserves, having rightly earned same. She is formidable, fearless and ruthless; and she continuously fights for every ball from the first whistle to the last whistle, whether or not a game went into extra time. May be the color of her skin has something to do with why she does not get premium coverage, but her skill and strength compares to no other in the team.
Carli Lloyd also deserves a specific mention too, both for her two goals in the match and for setting a new record as the most scoring member of USWNT. At 39 years old, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will definitely be her last appearance too as retirement should now be the natural next step for her to take. So, her last outing registered resoundingly. ICHEOKU says had previously called for coach Vlatko Andonovski to be fired following the Sweden disastrous outing and the team's struggling through the rest of their matches until now. But since he had promised that USWNT will do everything possible not to leave Tokyo without a medal and has now delivered, this performance has purchased him a new lease of life. As a result, the earlier call for him to be fired is now placed on hold as he continues to fine-tune the team back to the gold winning team which he inherited from former golden Coach Jill Ellis.
Anyway, congratulations to the ladies, their coach, his assistants and members of their management team for not leaving Tokyo without a medal. Although their usual gold medal would have been preferred, but their having risen from the ashes of the Sweden drubbing to still get a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics makes the medal somewhat special and in fact, good enough. It is a case of where a medal is a medal, no matter its color. They played their hearts out and they fought gallantry and therefore deserves our gratitude. Congratulations to United States Women National Team. FYI: Just an aside, that Megan Rapinoe's hair color looks to ICHEOKU as purple and not pink, except it is a special shade of pink. #ProudlyUSWNT.
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