Wichtig » I didnt let her into the match today with m

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- The U.S. womens soccer team had a difficult time getting the ball to Carli Lloyd for much of Saturdays high-stakes Group G showdown against France.But ever the creative player, Tobin Heath found another way to get Lloyd involved (intentionally or not).The goal was enough for a 1-0 win of major significance for the Americans.Heaths second-half shot off French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddis hand and off the post rebounded to the feet of Lloyd. The American captain didnt waste the chance, driving the ball into the empty net in the 63rd minute for her second goal of the tournament.More to come, but here are three observations from the pivotal Group G clash.1. Two teams play to typeFrance had more chances. France had better chances. It controlled the game early. It threw everything at the Americans late. It didnt make any of it count. The United States absorbed pressure early, regrouped at halftime, then found a way to scrape together a late goal and a win in the end.It would be easy to pass off the idea of American mettle and French faltering as writing to the result -- any of a number of bounces could have flipped the score line. Except that it seems to keep happening the same way for these two teams in major tournaments.And give Lloyd credit. On a night when she (and Alex Morgan) were starved for service for such long stretches, she held her poise and was right there pushing forward when Heaths shot rebounded to her.2. Whitney Engen holds her nerveEngen was the only field player for the United States who made last years World Cup roster but didnt see time on the field in Canada. Saturday she found herself in the starting lineup for the first time since March, a replacement for Julie Johnston at center back. One of the lower-profile battles throughout the year was that between Engen and NWSL No. 1 overall pick Emily Sonnett to be the third center back behind Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn. Engen held off her challenger and held on to the important roster spot.U.S. Soccer said Johnston was available for the game (NBC reported she had a sore groin), but while the rest of her teammates -- including Mallory Pugh, who injured her ankle in the opening game and didnt start this one -- warmed up on the field before the game, the defender stood on the sideline with a long-sleeved shirt tied around her waist. Could Johnston have played in a pinch? Its unclear, but it didnt matter because her understudy had a quiet enough night to leave the headlines to others.3. Americans now control their fateThe game between the United States and Colombia was always going to be the undercard in Manaus on Tuesday. And not just because it will take place before host Brazil takes the field in the nightcap. But the U.S women now make the trip into the Amazon in considerably better shape than they would have been with even a draw against France.As long as the United States beats Colombia, it wins Group G and earns a place in the quarterfinals opposite a third-place team from one of the other groups. The math would have been more complicated with a draw. France is likely left to stare down the prospect of another quarterfinal against Germany, just as in the World Cup.Nike Tn Womens Sale . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Nike Vapormax 95 Australia . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. http://www.vapormaxaustraliashoes.com/cheap-air-max-tn-australia.html . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Nike Air Max Plus Australia . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Nike Vapormax Wholesale China . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker.SINGAPORE --?Dominika Cibulkova?put on a stunning show of unflappable tennis to upset top-ranked Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-4 to win the WTA Finals title on Sunday.The seventh-seeded Cibulkova, making her debut at the WTA Finals this week, picked the right match to win against Kerber during the week. The two met in the first match of the round-robin stage on Sunday with Kerber prevailing 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-3.Coming here for the first time and winning the biggest title of my life, I have no words, Cibulkova said. Today you can see I got really lucky in the end.Kerber had won their last five meetings, but now their head-to-head stands at 5-5.The only time Cibulkova looked nervous in the 76-minute match was when she was serving for it at 6-3, 5-4. She missed on three match points and saved two break points before a forehand clipped the top of the net and just dribbled over to give her the victory.Only in the first two match points I was a little bit nervous, I realized what the situation is, Cibulkova said. But after that I only had one goal and I knew I could do it.From the minute Cibulkova hit the first ball of the match she was on fire, taking Kerber out of her game, belting winners at will, and in complete command of the outing.In contrast, Kerber never showed the skills that led her to the No. 1 ranking. She appeared frustrated and unable to contend with the variety of Cibulkovas shot-making.In the first match I played against Angelique (this week), that match gave me confidence that I could beat her, Cibulkovaa said.dddddddddddd. With this thought I was going into the final and I was feeling it from the first point to the last point. I didnt let her into the match today with my being aggressive.Cibulkova posted 28 winners to only 14 for Kerber, and had only 14 unforced errors to 23 for Kerber.Cibulkova, who will end the year ranked No. 5, is the second consecutive player to win the WTA Finals after going 1-2 in the round-robin stage of the competition. Kerber went 3-0 in the round-robin.Last year, Agnieszka Radwanska won the trophy after posting the same record in the round-robin.Cibulkova closes out the year with a record of 53-21, which is the most tour-level matches shes won in a season in her career.This year has been the longest season in my career, Cibulkova said. I dont complain. I wouldnt change it for anything in the world.Kerber ends the year with the most match wins of the season with a 63-18 record. She won her first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open, was a finalist at Wimbledon, and captured the Olympic silver medal, which ensured she took over the No. 1 ranking last month.It was a tough year with a lot of matches, so I give everything on the court today, the rest of the energy I had left, Kerber said. Of course, when Im looking back its one of my best years.I will home now and just think about the best moments and the positive emotions, she added. ' ' '