July 11, 2011

2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Semifinals
USA vs. France
Wednesday, July 13 - 8:30 p.m. PT
ESPN, ESPN3.com, Galavision

DRESDEN, Germany - Facing elimination from the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, the United States senior national team and former California student-athlete Alex Morgan bore down and earned a 5-3 penalty-kick shootout win over Brazil on Sunday morning.

Morgan came onto the pitch in the 72nd minute and played the remainder of regulation and all of the 30-minute overtime periods.

The U.S. got on the board first courtesy an own goal by Daiane in the second minute. Marta - the five-time player of the year - scored the next two goals for Brazil with one in the 68th and then again in the 92nd minute. Rachel Buehler was sent off in the 65th minute, forcing the Americans to push through with a man down for more than 55 minutes.

With the Brazilians leading 2-1 after scoring in the first overtime period, Abby Wambach tallied the latest goal in Women's World Cup history with one in the 122nd minute to force PKs.

From there, the Americans converted all five of their penalty kicks with U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo saving Brazil's third attempt by Daiane to give the Americans the margin of victory.

Next up, the U.S. will play France in the semifinals on July 13 in Mönchengladbach. Things will get underway at 8:30 a.m. PT on ESPN, ESPN3.com and Galavision.