U.S. Women's Soccer Team Beats Brazil in Semis

C A N B E R R A, Australia, Sept. 24 -- Brazil kept dumping U.S. star Mia Hamm on the ground. Hamm responded by dumping Brazil out of the Olympic women’s soccer final.

Moments after she drew a third yellow card from a Brazilianplayer for a hard tackle, Hamm scored in the 60th minute today asthe defending champions United States advanced to the gold medalgame with a 1-0 victory.

“I take it as a sign of respect,” Hamm said of her knockdowns.“Because if I don’t, then I’d probably go crazy.”

Neither Hamm nor her team had a good game, looking slow andlethargic against the fast and improving Brazilians. But two plays— Hamm’s goal and a super save by Siri Mullinix 10 minutes later —made the difference.

“I don’t think we played our best soccer of the tournament,”coach April Heinrichs said. “And they understand that. And theywould like to play better, and that will be our focus of the nextgame.”

The Americans, who won the World Cup last year, will be in thefinal Thursday in Sydney against Norway, which they beat 2-0 in theopening round. Norway edged Germany 1-0.

No Interference Call

The goal came when Brandi Chastain took a free kick 40 yardsaway from the Brazil net. Lorrie Fair, only 5-foot-3, outleaped adefender in the box to head the ball toward the net. TiffenyMilbrett gave chase and collided with goalkeeper Andreia, leavingHamm alone beyond the far post to tuck the ball in for her 127thinternational goal.

The Brazilians thought Swiss referee Nicole Petignat should havedisallowed the goal for interference with the goalkeeper. Milbrettadmitted as much.

“She definitely could have called a foul,” Milbrett said. “Iwas just trying to go for the ball. It’s a fat chance when you’regoing up with your head against keepers that are stretching theirarms, so I just wanted to wreak a little bit of havoc in there, andI did. I obstructed her, and Mia was following the play.”