Olympic Soccer: U.S. Women Beat Japan, Advance to Gold Medal Match vs. Brazil

The U.S. women's soccer team is back in the gold medal game after playing its best match of these Olympics in beating Japan today.

Japan scored in the 15th minute and led 1-0 for most of the first half, and the American women at times looked like they were dragging, perhaps even resigned to the idea that they simply weren't good enough without their injured star Abby Wambach to repeat as gold medalists.

But two goals in quick succession in the 41st and 44th minutes made it a very different game at halftime, and in the second half the Americans poured it on with goals in the 70th and 80th minutes. Japan put in a goal with just seconds to play to make the final score 4-2.

In today's other semifinal, Brazil beat Germany 4-1, and the Brazilians are considered the favorites to win the gold. But at this point, no one should count out the American women.

The U.S. vs. Brazil gold medal game will be broadcast live at 9 a.m. Eastern Thursday on USA Network.