U.S. looks to keep cool on penalty kicks in Women's World Cup
EDMONTON, Alberta – The knockout round of the Women's World Cup brings with it the prospect of soccer's most intense square-off, a mixture of opportunity and terror, where the cruel touch of infamy awaits those who fail.
Penalty shootouts are a mixture of intoxicatingly good fun and a nerve-shredding gauntlet of treachery. They remain the standard - yet not entirely democratic - way of breaking a stalemate in the sport's major tournaments.
They are loved, hated, feared and anticipated, often all at the same time.
"It is hell," said Sara Whalen, a 1999 World Cup winner with the United States. "And I didn't even have to take one."
If the United States is unable to get the better of underdog Colombia over 90 minutes of regulation and then a half-hour of extra-time at Commonwealth Stadium on Monday, it will head to the penalty spot and revisit a part of its recent history that conjures memories both joyful and despondent.
Four years ago, a remarkable late comeback against Brazil was sealed when the U.S. team outlasted Brazil on penalties, minutes after Abby Wambach's dramatic headed equalizer in the final seconds of extra time.
Seven days later however, it was the opposite story, with Japan scoring late in extra-time to force penalties, before Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all missed, and the Americans saw their hopes of winning the final snatched away.
"To miss one feels terrible," said Lloyd recently. "But I am ready to stand up and take one again. We have great mental strength as a team and that is something you definitely need in that situation."
Head coach Jill Ellis and the team have been practicing penalties since several months ago, but the thought process on such matters differs. Given that it is impossible to replicate either the atmosphere or the pressure involved in a game day shootout situation, some teams opt not to practice them at all.
"It is a lot different taking one in practice to stepping up with everything at stake, knowing what is on the line," said midfielder Lauren Holiday.
Aya Miyama of Japan knows how it feels to be on the right end of that experience, having successfully converted the opening penalty of the 2011 final shootout.
"It was a relief," Miyama said. "I was so happy not to have let my country down."
Deciding who is on the initial list of five penalty takers is a challenge in itself for coaches, and the Americans have plenty of options to choose from, with its army of attacking talent. If on the field at the time, Abby Wambach would be a lock, as would Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez or Christen Press.
Lloyd and Holiday would certainly be in the mix, as would Heath. Strong defenders with powerful leg strength can also be effective, meaning Julie Johnston could be among the choices.
Then there is right back Ali Krieger, who took the winning kick against Brazil in 2011, but joked that she "might have used up all my penalty karma" on that day.
In any shootout, if things progress past the first five takers, things start to get a bit nervy, with players not usually accustomed to taking penalties forced into action.
"I was there in the center circle and there are a million thoughts going through your mind," said Whalen, now Dr. Sara Hess, remembering the iconic shootout against China in 1999, in which Brandi Chastain clinched the title then ripped off her jersey. "It is this mixed feeling, you want to be there for your team but if you're being honest you're hoping it doesn't come to you." Whalen would have been eighth in the order, and thus didn't have to shoot.
The Americans have made winning the World Cup their stated intention and know that the sternest mental test of them all could be a hurdle to overcome along the way.
"We are prepared," Ellis said.
Of course, there is a simple way to make sure that the issue doesn't come up at all.
"Just make sure you win in regulation," Leroux said.
WATCH: Hope Solo's impact on World Cup
