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SPORTS Saturday 29 June 2019

Rapinoe has 2 goals and U.S. knocks France out 2-1

By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) — Controversy
didn’t drive Megan Rapi-
noe, the big moment did.
Rapinoe turned turmoil
into triumph Friday night,
scoring twice in the much-
anticipated clash with host
France to send the defend-
ing champion United States
into the semifinals of the
Women’s World Cup with a
2-1 victory.
Two days earlier, Rapinoe
had been called out on
social media by President
Donald Trump after video
surfaced of her saying she
wouldn’t visit the White
House if the United States
won the tournament, and
the critics pounced. Rapi-
noe shrugged them off by
facing the crowd with her
arms raised in celebration
after both her goals.
“I don’t really get energized
by haters or all that, I feel
there are so many more
people that love me,” she
said with a laugh. “I’m
more energized by that.” United States’ Megan Rapinoe celebrates with teammates after scoring her side’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal
Now the top-ranked Ameri- soccer match between France and the United States at the Parc des Princes, in Paris, Friday, June 28, 2019.
cans are headed to Lyon Associated Press
to face No. 3 England in a
semifinal match Tuesday. it up to the French team. I knockout stage, even sug- the French 24 times, with have won over the hearts
France had been vying think they outplayed us for gested the uproar might France winning just three. and minds of the public. I
to become the first na- sure with the ball, but we help her team. “I think, if But the three matches prior hope this will help the wom-
tion to simultaneously hold were so good defensive- anything, it just fires every- to Friday’s quarterfinal had en’s game to go further to
the men’s and women’s ly, so strong. We hit them body up a little bit more,” tilted toward France, with move into the next level.”
World Cup trophies but fell where it hurt. We took our she said. two wins and a draw. Les Bleues also reached
well short as their aggres- chances,” Rapinoe said. Coach Jill Ellis said Rapi- “The media and fans and the quarterfinals at the
sive play, home-field ad- “This team — unreal, unreal noe’s night was typical of everyone bought into this 2015 World Cup in Cana-
vantage and flag-waving amount of heart.” the outspoken 33-year-old being a final being played da but fell to Germany on
crowd that belted out La The U.S. team is used to playing in her third World as a quarterfinal match. penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Marseillaise failed to faze grabbing attention both on Cup. And it was. I feel like it was The team’s best finish at
the ever-confident U.S. and off the field. Rapinoe “She’s just a big personality a great match,” U.S. star the tournament was fourth
team. was caught up in a con- on and off the pitch and I Alex Morgan said. “I think in 2011. The victory over
Rapinoe, her hair high- troversy this week when a think she honestly thrives off we have the edge on them France was Jill Ellis’ 125th
lighted with a pastel pink, video surfaced of her using these big moments,” Ellis in World Cups and major match as the U.S. coach,
scored on a free kick in the an expletive while vowing said. tournaments, but lately surpassing April Heinrichs
fifth minute that bounced not to visit the White House. The United States went to a they’ve had the edge on for the career record. It was
between French players While the interview was five-player backline and re- us with friendlies. So I think it also her 100th victory.
and past goalkeeper Sarah from January, it attracted peatedly kept the aggres- was a great match for both The United States already
Bouhaddi. She did it again the president’s attention sive French team at bay. of us.” has three World Cup tro-
in the 65th minute after and he tweeted: “Megan Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher Because of the loss Friday, phies, most of any nation.
blasting a cross from Tobin should never disrespect our was stellar in the second France does not qualify for The Americans emphati-
Heath that Bouhaddi dove Country, the White House, half, fighting off a flurry of the 2020 Olympics. The top cally beat Japan 5-2 to
for but couldn’t stop. It was or our Flag, especially since attempts until Renard’s three European finishers at win in Canada four years
her fifth goal of the tourna- so much has been done header. the World Cup qualify. ago.q
ment. for her & the team.” Trump “I’m proud of the defense, “Yes, it is a failure on a
Fourth-ranked France also said he would invite sliding, blocking shots, de- footballing level,” France
pulled back on Wendie Re- the team, win or lose. nying service, denying coach Corinne Diacre
nard’s header off Gaeta- A day before the match, crosses coming in,” Nae- said through a translator. “I
ne Thiney’s free kick in the Rapinoe said she stood by her said. “France’s offense don’t think we should shy
81st. It was the 6-foot-2 de- her comments , except the is potent and can hurt away from that. We’re a
fender’s fourth World Cup coarse language. Rapi- you in so many ways and long way off our target and
goal and gave the home noe, who also had a pair I thought our defense held it is a failure on the pitch.
crowd at the sellout Parc of goals on penalty kicks in strong all night. It’s an hon- But I hope that we have
des Princes hope. the United States’ 2-1 vic- or to be behind them.” attained something else-
“I mean, you have to give tory over Spain to open the The Americans have played where tonight, I hope we