Tuesday - Final vs Canada

There is an old expression that soccer can be a cruel game. Today we felt that cruelty. We knew it would be very different from the previous match although it started out much the same way.
At 1:35 into the match, a beautiful series of 6 consecutive passes resulted in a goal for us. It was just as we would draw it up. We came out playing a 3-5-2 looking to take advantage of our ability to possess the ball and our speed of play. It looked like it would be a repeat of Sunday's match until the referee decided he needed to even things up. After several calls going against us in a row he gave Canada a free kick from about 25 yards out. He told the players to "wait for his whistle". At that point the Canadian girl struck the ball into the net just under the crossbar while we were setting up. When the players asked he just ignored them. When I asked he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Unfortunately these things happen when you are the US playing away from home.
We gathered ourselves and got ready for what was now going to be a war. As expected, Canada was rebounded from being deflated from our goal and now was motivated. The match turned a bit more physical with both teams stepping up the intensity. As halftime we talked about getting back to our game of up tempo possession and switching the point of attack. We created opportunities but were unable to finish them off. On to overtime. Two ten minute periods where we continued to create chances to score but had balls cleared of the line or were called for a hand ball or offside.
Tied 1-1 after overtime we went to penalty kicks. I still felt quite confident going into PK's as we have 2 quality keepers who both played in the match and fairly technical players. (I had played both Gabby & Alexa in goal splitting both regulation and overtime between them.) For PK's Gabby got the call since she was the keeper on the field at the end. With Canada shooting first, Gabby saved two giving us chances to win the game. Unfortunately we were not able to convert those opportunities. (the Canadian Goalkeeper did quite we well also). After 5 shooters it was still tied so we proceed shooting sudden death until the 10th shooter when we missed and they had converted.
Shattered is the only word I can think of to describe my feelings for my players at that point. As I stated yesterday, I had no doubt they would conduct themselves with honor and distinction and did not deserve this result but nonetheless I could not have been or continue to be prouder for them.
As stated above, the game can be cruel. However, these amazing young women who continue to carry themselves with class asked if they can get together at a tournament in the states so they can play together again. So maybe its just my perspective as a Dad that I feel the cruelty long after they have moved on to just continuing enjoying each other again.