The U.S. Women’s National Team was stunned in the Olympic soccer tournament semifinals by familiar foe Canada. A 74th minute goal was the lone score of the contest to give Canada a 1-0 win.
The loss is only the second time the USWNT has not qualified for the Olympic final since the sport was added in 1996. In 61 prior meetings, the USWNT has lost to Canada only ten times, and this loss was the team’s first to Canada since 2001.
The USWNT still has a chance to win an Olympic medal when they face the loser of Sweden vs. Australia in the bronze medal match.
In Monday’s completed action, American Keni Harrison finished second in a photo finish behind gold medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
And the U.S. women’s beach volleyball team of April Ross and Alix Klineman kept their quest for gold alive on Monday with a straight-sets win over Cuba.
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CHIBA, Japan – It was a battle of recent world champions, and Tamyrah Mensah-Stock came out of top.
The American wrestler and 2019 world champ defeated Alla Cherkasova, who won the title in 2018, in the women’s 68kg semifinals to advance to the gold medal match on Tuesday.
Inside of the four-minute mark of the six-minute-long match, Mensah-Stock executed a two-point takedown to assume the lead. Out of the break, Cherkasova returned the favor with a takedown to take a two-point lead, but Mensah-Stock recovered to escape and tie it at 4.
Another Mensah-Stock takedown and exposure made it 8-4 with more than a minute left.
With teammates and supporters shouting from a corner of the stands at the Makuhari Messe Hall, she countered for two more points and the clock wound down.
Mensah-Stock did not compete in the 2016 Olympics because the U.S. did not qualify for her weight-class.
–Chris Bumbaca
Japan and the United States are facing off in a battle between the two group winners Monday night at Yokohama Stadium.
On the mound for Japan is a name fans of Major League Baseball are familiar with: Masahiro Tanaka.
Tanaka, the former New York Yankees right-hander, pitched in the majors for seven seasons (2014-20). After not finding a suitable contract during free agency, the 32-year-old right-hander returned to Japan to play with the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Over 173 career MLB starts, the two-time All-Star had a 3.74 ERA and 991 strikeouts.
In 2008, he was the youngest member of Japan’s Olympic squad at the Beijing Games. Now he is one of the oldest on the Olympic roster.
Starting for the U.S. opposite Tanaka is Tampa Bay Rays prospect Shane Baz. The former Pittsburgh Pirates draftee (12th overall in 2017) was part of the trade for Chris Archer the following year. He has a 2.26 ERA in 12 minor-league stars across two levels this year with 82 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings.
The first two U.S. starters, Joe Ryan and Nick Martinez, did not walk a batter through 10 combined innings in two victories for Team USA.
The winner will face South Korea in the semifinals Wednesday. The loser will still enter the double-elimination bracket with chances still alive for any medal – albeit with a slightly more difficult path.
–Chris Bumbaca
KASHIMA, Japan — Canada got the best of the U.S. women when it really mattered.
The Canadians beat the USWNT for the first time since 2001 on Monday, and only fourth time in history, 1-0 on a penalty kick by Jessie Fleming in the 75th minute. U.S. goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, pressed into service after Alyssa Naeher left in the 30th with a knee injury, guessed the right side but couldn’t make the stop.
Fleming sprinted toward her bench and slid on her knees as the rest of the Canadians erupted in celebration.
The Americans had a chance to tie it in the 86th on a thunderous header from close range by Carli Lloyd. But it banged off the crossbar and the reigning World Cup champions couldn’t challenge again.
The Canadians will play either Sweden or Australia for the gold medal Friday. The USWNT will play the other team Thursday for the bronze medal.
Canada is the USWNT’s most frequent opponent, with Monday’s game the 62nd between the neighbors. But it cannot really be called a rivalry, given its lopsidedness. The Americans had won 51 of the previous games, Canada just three.
Its last win came back in 2001, when Lloyd was still a teenager.
–Nancy Armour
TOKYO — Jade Carey, the only U.S. gymnast competing in event finals Monday, won a gold medal on floor exercise in her second event final.
Carey is the third consecutive U.S. floor exercise gold medalist following Aly Raisman in 2012 and Biles in 2016. She is the 10th overall American to medal on floor at the Olympics.
— Jeff Metcalfe
KASHIMA, Japan — Canada has taken the lead on the U.S. women thanks to a penalty in the 74th minute.
Tierna Davidson was whistled for taking out Deanne Rose in the box. The play was reviewed, but referees confirmed. Jessie Fleming stepped up to take the penalty kick against US goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, in because Alyssa Naeher had injured her knee in the first half. Naeher had saved three penalties in the quarterfinal win over the Netherlands, including two in a shootout.
Franch dove the right way, but Fleming put the ball just beneath her hands to give Canada the 1-0 lead. Fleming sprinted toward the bench before sliding on her knees as the rest of the team rushed off the bench to greet her.
The winner of the game plays Sweden or Australia for the gold medal Friday.
KASHIMA, Japan — It’s still scoreless at halftime of the U.S. women’s semifinal against Canada, but the game has not lacked for action.
Backup goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, who has made six previous appearances for the USWNT, is now playing after Alyssa Naeher injured her right knee in the 20th minute. After being worked on for more than five minutes by trainers, Naeher tried to stay in, but she pulled up short on a goal kick and signaled that she needed to come out.
Franch was part of the 2019 team that won the World Cup, but did not play. She was the NWSL’s goalkeeper of the year in 2018, playing for the Portland Thorns.
Though the USWNT has the edge in possession and shots – 4-1 – neither team has really threatened.
The winner of this game will play either Sweden or Australia on Friday for the gold medal.
— Nancy Armour
TOKYO — Simone Biles feels good enough again to give it another go.
USA Gymnastics said Monday that Biles would do the last event final, balance beam, scheduled for Tuesday night. It will be her first competition since she withdrew from the women’s team final Tuesday night, citing concerns for her mental health and physical safety.
Biles came to Tokyo as the biggest star of these Olympics, projected to win a record five gold medals. But she developed a case of “the twisties,” a loss of air awareness that can have catastrophic consequences for a gymnast.
— Nancy Armour
KASHIMA, Japan — Alyssa Naeher, the USWNT’s starting goalkeeper who was instrumental in the shootout win in the quarterfinals, left Monday’s semifinal in the 30th minute against Canada with a right knee injury.
In the 20th minute, Naeher went up to grab a ball in front of the goal and landed awkwardly, appearing to injure her right knee. She crumpled to the ground and trainers rushed out immediately to check on her. They worked on her for several minutes while backup Adrianna Franch warmed up.
Naeher did several tests of her knee’s stability, including hopping on one knee. After about six minutes, the game resumed with her still in goal. She appeared OK initially, even running for a ball. But several minutes later she signaled that she was coming out, slapping hands with captain Becky Sauerbrunn before leaving the field.
Naeher saved three penalties in the quarterfinal win over the Netherlands on Friday, one during regulation and two during the shootout. Two of the saves were on shots by Vivianne Miedema, who set the Olympic record with 10 goals.
Franch was a member of the 2019 squad that won the World Cup. She plays for the Portland Thorns, and was the NWSL’s goalkeeper of the year in 2018.
— Nancy Armour
KASHIMA, Japan — Another game, another lineup change for the USWNT.
Lynn Williams is starting at forward again for the semifinal against Canada after having a goal and assist in the quarterfinals. But Tierna Davidson is starting at centerback in place of Abby Dahlkemper and Rose Lavelle gets the start in midfield instead of Sam Mewis. Andonovski has said all along he planned to make liberal use of all 22 of his players because of the tight turnarounds between games, as well as the heat and humidity.
The winner advances to the gold-medal game, which will be played Friday. Though Canada is the USWNT’s most common opponent, the neighbors to the north have not beaten the Americans since 2001.
— Nancy Armour
TOKYO — As the U.S. women’s basketball team heads into the knockout round of the Olympics, at least they won’t be accused of having no competition this time.
If anything, the three games of group play have been unexpectedly difficult for Team USA, including Monday’s 93-82 win over France. In each of the three, the U.S. has been pushed deep into the fourth quarter before finding another gear late to put the game away.
Heading into the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Team USA’s situation seems very different from the 2016 Olympics when its closest game was 19 points. This time, it seems like the world is ready to challenge the Americans after six straight gold medals. Actually beating them, however, is likely to prove much tougher.
— Dan Wolken
The U.S. women’s basketball team is once again in the middle of a tough fight as it tries to close out group play 3-0, leading France just 50-44 at halftime.
This has been a common theme at the Olympics so far, as Team USA was in a semi-close game late against Nigeria, didn’t put away Japan until the final couple minutes and is now getting challenged by France despite shooting 57% from the field in the first half.
U.S. coach Dawn Staley will almost certainly be focused on the U.S. tightening up its defense in the second half – France just got too many easy looks at the rim – and pounding the ball inside on offense. France doesn’t have an answer for the Americans’ size, and as a result Team USA made 17-of-25 inside the 3-point line.
Guard Diana Taurasi seemed to hurt her wrist early in the game and came out immediately. After sitting on the bench for quite awhile, she came back in for a stretch late in the half but only logged 5 minutes in the first half.
Skylar Diggins, who had only played a couple minutes in the first two games, got back into the rotation and played 5 ½ minutes. She had apparently not been feeling well the last few days.
— Dan Wolken
TOKYO — The U.S. women’s volleyball team defeated Italy in five sets, 21-25, 25-16, 25-27, 25-16, 15-12, on Monday in their final pool play match of the Tokyo Olympics. They’re currently ranked first in Pool B with four wins and one loss and are guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals.
For the U.S., opposite Annie Drews led scoring with 22 points. Italian opposite Paola Egonu finished with 28 points.
In the second set, the U.S. lost setter Jordyn Poulter when she rolled her right ankle after attempting to make a block. She left the arena floor in a wheelchair and did not return to action.
Poulter’s ankle injury is the team’s second this week – during their loss to the Russian Olympic Committee on Saturday, the U.S. team lost starting opposite Jordan Thompson to a rolled right ankle. Thompson’s status for the quarterfinal is unclear.
The U.S. team will make its quarterfinals appearance on Wednesday, Aug. 4 against a yet-to-be-determined nation. They’re looking to improve upon their bronze-medal finish in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The U.S. is on a quest for its first gold medal in the sport.
— Olivia Reiner
TOKYO — It’s not a true rivalry unless you can actually win a game every once in a while.
The USWNT’s semifinal against Canada is being made out to be the latest in a long series of grudge matches between the otherwise friendly neighbors. Which, aside from that testy meeting in the semis at the London Olympics, it really is not.
The USWNT has played the Canadians more than any other opponent — 61 times ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The Americans have won 51 of those games, and the teams have played to a draw seven times.
Even when they look beatable, the Americans have a knack for being able to turn it around once the knockout games begin. See the 2011 World Cup. And the 2015 World Cup.
And, of course, the London Olympics — when the USWNT rallied to tie Canada three times before Alex Morgan scored in injury time of overtime to give the Americans the win.
— Nancy Armour
TOKYO — JuVaughn Harrison’s Olympic medal hopes came up short.
Harrison finished fifth in the men’s long jump competition. His mark was 26 feet, 9 inches.
The LSU product was in third place midway through the competition but was passed by two other competitors.
Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou won the event at 27 feet, 7¼ inches. Cubans Juan Miguel EchevarrÃa and Maykel Masso placed second and third.
Harrison competed in the men’s high jump final a day prior. He finished seventh in the event with a jump of 7 feet, 7¾ inches.
Harrison is first American man since Jim Thorpe in 1912 to compete in both the long jump and high jump at the Olympics.
— Tyler Dragon
TOKYO — Five years after heartbreak, Keni Harrison is an Olympic medalist.
Harrison won silver in the final of the 100-meter hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, finishing second with a time of 12.52 seconds. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico took gold in 12.37, and Jamaica’s Megan Tapper finished third.
The U.S. swept all three medals in the event at the Rio Olympics in 2016 – though Harrison was not among them.
She had arrived at the 2016 U.S. Olympic trials as the prohibitive favorite, not only to make the Olympic team but potentially win gold. And then, heartbreak: She finished sixth at trials, her Olympic dreams dashed.
Harrison proceeded to set a new world record, 12.20 seconds, the next month. And she’s spoken about how, for five years, the agony of missing that 2016 Olympic team fueled her.
On Monday, it culminated in a silver medal.
— Tom Schad
TOKYO – For most everyone, falling on the final lap of a 1500-meter race would be certain disaster.
For Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, it appeared to be just a minor inconvenience.
Hassan overcame a fall at the start of her last lap to win her 1500-meter preliminary race Monday – tripping over another runner who had fallen in front of her, leaping back to her feet and running the final 300 in a blistering 43.7 seconds. And it might not even wind up being the most impressive achievement of her day.
Hassan is entered in the 1500, 5000 and 10,000 at the Tokyo Olympics, an attempt to pull of what would be an incredible triple. And Monday will likely be the most challenging day of her schedule. After Monday’s 1500-meter run, she will be back in less than 12 hours to run the 5,000-meter final, with a medal on the line.
— Tom Schad
TOKYO – The American beach volleyball team of April Ross and Alix Klineman might be in position to do more than win a gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
Surely they’re capable of setting an unofficial record for hugs – that is, if they haven’t already broken the record.
Ross and Klineman hug after every point, so on Monday that was 74 hugs in their 21-17, 21-15 victory over Cuba’s Lidianny Echevarria Benitez and Leila Consuelo Martinez in the round of 16 at Shiokaze Park.
“It’s so funny because we didn’t invent the hug in beach volleyball,’’ Ross said, noting that Brazilian teams also hug.
But the Americans have taken it to a new level, committed to a hug – preceded by high fives or low fives — after every single point.
As they advance to the quarterfinals, after going 3-0 in preliminary play, Ross and Klineman have hugged 323 times during competition at the Tokyo Games.
“It just gives a moment to kind of regroup as a team,’’ Klineman said.
Added Ross, “I think it brings us together energetically and we even talk for a second. Some people hold hands, some people hold their arms around each other and we just hug.’’
— Josh Peter
Two weeks after missing out on the Rio Olympics in 2016, Keni Harrison set a world record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.20.
The former University of Kentucky athlete, who’s now in the school’s hall of fame, won the NCAA title for 60m and 100m hurdles her senior year in 2014-15 and was honored as National Track Athlete of the Year. Several other former Wildcats, including fellow hurdler Sydney McLaughlin, are also competing in Tokyo.
Harrison made the U.S. team with a time of 12.47 in the Olympic Trials. She finished second behind Jamaica’s Britany Anderson in her semifinal heat to move on to the medal round. The Olympic record time is 12.35 set by Australia’s Sally Pearson at the 2012 London Games.
The event will air live at 10:50 p.m. ET, after the men’s long jump final at 9:20 p.m. ET.
– Siera Jones, Louisville Courier Journal
Team USA will take on host Japan in one of two games on Monday in the quarterfinal round of the Olympic baseball tournament (8 a.m. ET).
Former New York Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka will get the start for Japan. The two-time MLB All-Star pitched for the Yankees for seven seasons before returning home and signing with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of the NPB.
On the mound for the U.S. is right-hander Shane Baz, 22, who was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2017 draft and is now pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays’ Class AA team.
The last time the two nations met on the international stage, the USA defeated Japan 4-3 in the Super Round of the 2019 WBSC Premier12. However, Japan went on to win that tournament.
In Monday’s other quarterfinal game, Israel will face Korea in a rematch of their first-round clash, which Korea won 6-5 in 10 innings. Israel eliminated Mexico 12-5 on Sunday, while Korea rallied to defeat the Dominican Republic with a 4-3 walk-off win.
For its final game of the preliminary round, Team USA tips off against France at 11:40 p.m. ET. The women will hope to enjoy better success against France heading toward the quarterfinals than their male counterparts.
Team USA won its opening game against Nigeria 81-72 on July 26. Then, on Thursday, it was propelled to an 86-69 victory over Japan by Aj’a Wilson and Brittney Griner.
France fell to Japan 74-70, but beat Nigeria 87-62.
The United States’ No. 1 women’s beach volleyball team plays its first match of the elimination round at 7 p.m. ET.
April Ross and Alix Klineman will take on Lidy Echevarria Benitez and Leila Martinez, the Cuban duo that lost two of its three preliminary matches before beating the Netherlands in two sets in the Lucky Loser Round. The Americans won out in the prelims.
Ross and former partner Kerri Walsh Jennings won bronze in Rio. This is Klineman’s first Olympics.
On Saturday, the other pair from the U.S., Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil, lost 2-1 to Canada, eliminating them from the round of 16.
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