By Neil W. Blackmon It finally ended today. Not a five year era—no—that was Thursday's news. No—it ended. The summer that wouldn't end. The summer that reminded us how great we can be; how fleeting success is; how far we have to go. The summer of everything ended this afternoon at what can only fairly [.

By Neil W. Blackmon It finally ended today. Not a five year era—no—that was Thursday's news. No—it ended. The summer that wouldn't end. The summer that reminded us how great we can be; how fleeting success is; how far we have to go. The summer of everything ended this afternoon at what can only fairly [.

Funny things happen when you travel. Sometimes you board the plane and sit on the tarmac for hours. Sometimes you see the plane you are supposed to be on taxiing away from the gate just as you land. Sometimes through sheer serendipity, you encounter Carli Lloyd in the Philadelphia International Airport.

EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows is a Special Contribution to The Yanks Are Coming from reader and US fan Cameron James Siggs, Esq. We thank him sincerely for his fine contribution. First, a confession. I'm a soccer guy, and I have been forever. Never really played past grade school, but I did letter in Girls' Soccer [.

Japan are the newest World Champions of women's football after defeating the USA 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 extra time draw in the Women's World Cup final. It was the best World Cup final that I have ever seen in either gender, and a fantastic advertisement for the women's version of the game. It was a just reward for a team devoted to an attractive style of play, and a morale boost for a country that experienced a horrific natural disaster four months before.

United States Drops Heartbreaker to Japan in Final

Writer Jerrod Roh has provided coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

United States Drops Heartbreaker to Japan in Final

Writer Jerrod Roh has provided coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

After being the comeback kids for too many games, the US Women's National Team took the lead in Sunday's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup but wasn't able to keep it. Twice the US took leads in the game only to have Japan equalize, and on this day it was Japan who proved the dominating team doesn't always go home with the hardware.

After being the comeback kids for too many games, the US Women's National Team took the lead in Sunday's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup but were not able to keep it. In fact the US took leads twice in the game only to have Japan equalize each time. On this day it was Japan who proved the dominating team doesn't always go home with the hardware.

The U.S women's national team learned a difficult lesson in their extra time loss on penalty kicks to Japan in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup final: not finishing valuable scoring opportunities will come back to bite you. And bite them it did.

The U.S squandered a host of chances in the first half hour that could have decided the match.

By Sean McElroy My Grandmother, who is ninety-three, has absolutely no reason to care about soccer. She is sharp as can be—her memory for her age is quite remarkable—and when I visit her she often asks about the various matches I am going to go see or have seen. Always, one conversation or question seems [.

By Puck Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back into the Happy Hour. What a week it has been for soccer fans across the country. If you are one of the seven people left in the US not paying attention to the Women's World Cup, there is still plenty of room left on the bandwagon; jump on [...]

Come join Minnesota supporters of the Women's National Team, along with readers of IMSoccer News, duNord Futbol, and memebers of Minneapolis and St. Paul, American Outlaws and the Dark Clouds supporters group for a US National Team World Cup watch party.

The US National Team plays Japan in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final Championship match, Sunday, July 17, with a 1:30 p.

By Dr. Raf Crowley By now, we all know the situation – win, and this team escapes the shadows of the '99 squad. Lose, and while this tournament will be deemed an "impressive" performance, especially compared with two consecutive semifinal exits, disappointment will reign supreme. In light of this, let's talk tactics from France and [.

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.S. He is a self-described fan, student, and teacher of the game.

Team USA Defeats France 3-1; Advances to World Cup Championship

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

Stop me if you've heard this story before - The United States Women's National Team jumps to an early lead in a World Cup match, their opponent equalizes early in the second half, Abby Wambach saves the day. In a match that, through the 78th minute, eerily mirrored Sunday's instant classic (minus the referee miscues), the USWNT was able to alter the script and book their place in the Women's World Cup final (their first since 1999).

The United States Women's National Team punched their ticket to the World Cup final with a 3-1 victory over France in Moenchengladbach today.

Although they were outplayed at times, the U.S managed to defend calmly and keep their shape against the French, clinching their fifth appearance in a Women's World Cup final, which will be played on Sunday against Japan.

This past Sunday, people from across the country and around the world witnessed one of the greatest come-from-behind victories in all of sports. Truly, the United States stole a victory against all odds. What many don't know is the battles these women have overcome away from the field.

Come join Minnesota supporters of the Women's National Team, along with readers of IMSoccer News, duNord Futbol, and the Dark Clouds supporters group for a US National Team World Cup watch party.

The US National Team plays France in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Semi-Final match, Wednesday, July 12, with a 10:55 a.

USWNT WORLD CUP INJURY FACTS

What percent of the US Women's National Team 2011 FIFA World Cup squad have torn their ACL's and come back after surgery and rehab?

28.5%

Of the 21 players on the US World Cup roster, 6 players have torn their ACL in their pro or college career.

By Dr. Raf Crowley Yesterday, Neil W. Blackmon took our readers back through the emotional gauntlet that all true US Soccer fans experienced during the latest heart-stopping track meet, thriller of a match late Sunday morning and early Sunday afternoon. As a US Soccer fan for many years, I was emotionally at a loss for [.

A number of things had to happen for the United States Women's National Team to wrestle their dramatic win away from an overconfident Brazilian squad on a hot night at Rudolf-Harbig Stadium in Dresden, Germany.

Sure, Megan Rapinoe had to deliver a perfect cross which she did. And Abby Wambach had to fight through the arms of Andreia and put Rapinoe's ball into the net which she did.

The USA-Brazil Women's World Cup quarterfinal match fit all of the archetypes of the American story: never giving up despite multiple adverse situations, last-minute dramatics, lots of heroes, and someone named Hope. I felt that Brazil would be the favored team yesterday, and perhaps they would have won had that early own-goal not occurred.

By Neil W. Blackmon Let's just get the disclaimer right out of the way, shall we? What follows won't do today justice. I would hope that's obvious. Some moments in life are too sensory, too "I wish I could have been there or seen that" for the written word. In the age of youtube and [...]

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.S. He is a self-described fan, student, and teacher of the game.

Team USA Defeated by Sweden 2-1

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

Abby Wambach celebrates the game tying goal.Highs and lows came at a gut-wrenching pace, but an emotional roller coaster doesn't even begin to capture the Women's World Cup quarterfinal match between the Samba Queens of Brazil and United States Women's National Team was no exception. Fans of the USWNT were ecstatic when Daiane put the ball into her own net off a cross by Shannon Boxx, then livid when Rachel Buehler was sent off in the 65' for a foul in the box on Marta.

The Women's World Cup is down to its final eight teams after yesterday's conclusion of group play.

Yesterdays last day of group play action was an exciting one with several key games.

Brazil 3-0 Equatorial Guinea
Brazil seemed to have no problems with Equatorial Guinea winning 3-0.

Team USA Defeated by Sweden 2-1

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

The U.S. Women's National Team ensured that they will play in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup after defeating Colombia 3-0 in Sinsheim, Germany on Saturday. The U.S. maintained control for nearly the entirety of the match and were hardly tested by Colombia who, thanks to the loss, will will not participate in the knockout phase of the tournament along with North Korea.

Americans Gain Momentum Against Colombia

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

Yanks Take Down Young North Koreans 2-0.

Writer Jerrod Roh will provide coverage, analysis, and opinion for the 2011 Women's World Cup for IMSoccer News. He has attended the last 3 men's World Cups in South Korea, Germany, and South Africa as well as the 2003 Women's World Cup in the U.

Pia Sundhage seems inclined to utilize players from the Boston Breakers. And today, as the U.S picked up a 2-0 victory over Korea DPR to start their World Cup campaign in Dresden, Sundhage's decision to start Boston Breakers players Lauren Cheney and Rachel Buehler paid off.

The Boston Breaker's Lauen Cheney scored the game-winning goal for the U.

Jessica Landstrom only had to poke in an inch-perfect pass from Lotta Schelin to give Sweden a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the opening match of Group C play in Leverkusen. But Sweden, who outclassed Colombia for nearly the entire match, needed more than one goal to open their World Cup slate.

While the U.

Team USA – This Is Now

This is the 3rd article in a series of three to preview the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany which begins on June 26 when host and 2-time defending World Cup champion Germany kicks off against CONCACAF Champion Canada in Berlin.

Team USA – This Is Now

This is the 3rd article in a series of three to preview the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany which begins on June 26 when host and 2-time defending World Cup champion Germany kicks off against CONCACAF Champion Canada in Berlin.

Team USA – That Was Then

This is the 2nd article in a series of three to preview the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany, which begins on June 26 when host and 2-time defending World Cup champion Germany kicks off against CONCACAF Champion Canada in Berlin.

University of Minnesota Assistant Coach, Jerrod Roh.

IMSoccer News is very honored to welcome University of Minnesota's Assistant Coach Jerrod Roh to the writing staff.

Roh will be covering the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup for IMS starting today with the 1st of a 3 part introduction to the tournament.

Editor's Note: This is another piece in our US Women's World Cup Send-Off Series, written not simply by The Yanks Are Coming writers but by some of our favorite soccer writers around the internet, as well as TYAC readers and general American soccer fans. This piece was written by Wesley Pickard, who is a writer [.