Straw that broke the camel's back

I’ve decided that I have no respect for soccer. After the men’s world cup last year and all of the shenanigans – “injuries”, rolling around on the ground, grabbing the ankle when it’s clear from the replay that the impact hit the upper thigh – I was really put off.

But I decided to give the women’s world cup a chance. And boy was I rewarded with a gem. I caught the end of the USA v. Brazil quarterfinal match. The US was already down in the first period of extra time. Still down into the second period of extra time, Brazil started the time wasting. Walking to take throw ins, delaying on free kicks, and then the worst display of sportsmanship I have EVER seen.

Brazil’s number 13 (Erika) was shown on the ground, clutching at who knows what. Play stops, the medics come out and load her on the stretcher, and as she’s being taken off the field, the replay shows that with NOBODY around her, Erika collapses.

Bring it back to real time – just as the medics get her to the sideline, she unstraps herself and sprints around the outside of the field. Next think you know, in the middle of play, she’s streaking back onto the field. The referee (who I heard had a shocker anyway), futilely waves a yellow card in this girl’s face, but time ticks on.

Fortunately for the US, perhaps justice was served. Two minutes into stoppage time in the final extra period, Abby Wambach scores a header in the corner to tie the game 2-2 and send it to penalty kicks. The US wins on kicks and heads into the semifinals to face France. I don’t think I’ll be watching. I’m sick of such disgraceful displays of unsportsmanlike conduct that has ruined an otherwise fantastic sport.