If you read this blog regularly then you know I’m a big proponent of statistical analysis.  You also know that I think it’s just one component of a bigger picture. Watching the USA-Brazil Women’s World Cup quarter final on Sunday wasn’t about the numbers.  I don’t think many models would have been able to predict how the game unfolded and what the outcome would be.  When the US went down to 10 players, most of us watching thought Brazil would tear us apart with their speed and passing.  That never happened.  We knew if the US could get to penalties, Hope Solo would give us an advantage, but holding off the Brazilians for 55 minutes to get to penalties with only 10 would be impossible. However, when regulation time ended, things were quite different for the two sides.

The US team was up on their feet, together as a group, smiling…

Abby Wambach was encouraging her teammates…

While Brazil sat down and looked exhausted…

It was at that moment I knew: Advantage USA.