More Relief, This Time for American Women

The U.S. Women's National Team duplicated its counterparts results against Japan, defeating Nadeshiko Japan 1-0 in the second game of the group stage for both teams.

But watching the game, it seems to me that the world has caught up with or even surpassed the Americans' skill level.

The Japanese played beautiful football (soccer), with the one-touch passing that was reminiscent of how the Dutch Men's National Team played at the beginning of this year's European Championship. Japan was more technically sound, was more poised and, in my opinion, dominated most of the game. (And oh by the way, the U.S. was 0 for 10 on corner kicks. A BIG FAT ZERO. How do you expect to beat the likes of Brasil and Germany with that?)

What the Japanese lacked was a reliable striker to put that finishing touch in any number of golden opportunities. American-homer and color-commentator for NBC, Brandi Chastain even had to acknowledge Japan, saying that she didn't want to see the Japanese would an above-average target person.

Vice versa, American keeper, Hope Solo, played well, making save after save, as once again Team USA's backline failed her.

The one bright spot for the U.S. has to be the play of Southern California's Amy Rodriguez. The Trojans striker was poised, played with pace and gave the Americans the opportunity to alleviate the pressure that was established by the Japanese.

A win's a win. The U.S. needed it. Now it needs to find its form. But maybe, the rest of the world has caught up and the Americans can no longer out muscle, out hustle and out play their opponents no more.