Nadeshiko Soccer Legend Retires

In a week that saw American Women's Soccer Star Abby Wambach retire, Japan's greatest Women's Soccer Star Homare Sawa also announced her retirement from professional sports this week at Age 37. Like her good American friend and rival Abby Wambach, Miss Sawa has had an incredible run representing Nadeshiko Japan with 205 international caps with 83 goals. In 2011, she helped Japan win the FIFA Women's World Cup over the United States and was named MVP.The following year she would lead Japan in the 2012 London Olympics where she would help Japan win the Silver Medal. We at American Mishima would like to wish Miss Sawa much success in her future endeavors. She will be missed on the world stage but like all good players including our own Abby Wambach, there comes a time when we must hang up our boots and and call it a game well played. 

As a fan of Women's Soccer, this has been a hard week to see two great players leave the pitch but we are happy to say they both leave on a high note. We thank Homare Sawa and Abby Wambach both for all their spectacular plays and their continued friendship. To Miss Sawa we at American Mishima would like to say ども ありがとう ございまして! Thank you and Good luck!

USWNT Defeats Nadeshiko Japan in Women's World Cup

In what was billed as an epic rematch between the 2011 Women's World Cup defending champions Nadeshiko Japan and the United States Women's National Team ended in a spectacular battle for the cup! Right off the bat, Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick and before the 30th minute the USA was up by 4-0.

But before the US could wrap this in the bag, Japan came back with a wicked score by Ogimi saving face goal for Japan and putting them back into the match. At this point the Japanese coach decided to bring in his supersub and his veteran Homare Sawa in her 6th and final world cup appearance. For a moment, Japan seemed to have their mojo back after their earlier sense of disarray.

But before dreams of a second back to back win seemed possible, the US scored again despite accidentally giving up a goal by US defender Julie Johnston. In the end it was 5-2 USA before a crowd of over 52,000 in attendance who didn't need FIFA's indicted president Sepp Blatter's condescending recommendation that female players wear tighter shorts to make the sport more popular. For the record he did not attend the match for fear of being arrested by American officials.

This would be the US's 3rd Gold Star and the first World Cup Won since 1999. Japan goes home with the silver medal. They have nothing to be ashamed of. They fought hard and they fought honorably but this year it was our turn.

In closing, US Goal Keeper Hope Solo got the Golden Glove. This was also Abby Wambach's 4th and final WWC. Talk about going out on top! Great Job Ladies and Thank you USWNT! You are the best!