Independence Day weekend saw a lot of soccer action: U.S. MNT beat Guatemala, the Women's World Cup drew to a conclusion, and the NWSL played out its 12th week of fixtures. By Jimmy Sparkman

The lasting imagine from Japan?s 2-1 semifinal victory over England is not of a Japanese player scoring a winning goal, or even of Japan?s players exulting in victory. Bt Peter Nolan

Whatever team you root for, tonight your heart must go out to England defender Laura Bassett whose lunging touch in added time ended up in her own goal, sending England home and Japan on to the World Cup Final. By Peter Nolan

The U.S.A. is going back to the World Cup Finals after beating Germany tonight at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. By Peter Nolan