SOCCER U.S. women qualify for World Cup
The U.S. Women's National Team defeated Italy 1-0 in front of more than 9,000 fans in Bridgeview, Ill., in the second match of a two-leg playoff series Nov. 27 to win 2-0 combined, according to a Chicago Red Stars press release. In doing so, the squad earned the 16th and final berth to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The USA had won the first leg, 1-0, in Padova, Italy, on Nov. 20 on a late goal from Alex Morgan.
The lone goal of the Nov. 27 game at Toyota Park came off the foot of Amy Rodriguez in the 40th minute. The Red Stars' Megan Rapinoe assisted in the scoring with a dribbling run, first cutting into the middle before faking a shot and cutting back in the penalty area. Describing the goal, Rodriguez said, "It was a jumble in front of the net. The ball was loose and I just saw it escape from the goalie and tried to just dive in there and put it on frame. And, luckily, it hit the back of the net."
The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup will take place June 26-July 17, 2011, in nine venues across Germany: Berlin, Frankfurt, Mönchengladbach, Sinsheim, Wolfsburg, Augsburg, Bochum, Dresden and Leverkusen.
Chicago City Open badminton Dec. 10-11
The Chicago City Open badminton tournament will take place Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-11, at the Broadway Armory, 5917 N. Broadway.
There will be men's and women's singles; men's, women's and mixed doubles; and junior ( boys and girls under 16 ) .
The fee is $15 for the first event, and $10 for each additional event; a maximum of three events is allowed. Entries must be received by Monday, Dec. 6. See www.badmintonchicago.org/chicagocityopen, e-mail chicagocityopen@badmintonchicago.org or call 815-425-8761.