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BRASILIA, Brazil -- Cowardly or not, Swedens defensive strategy against the United States got the job done.The Swedes stymied the powerful American attack and advanced to the womens soccer semifinals at the Olympics, leaving the U.S. team empty-handed and with their earliest exit from a major tournament.Thats the best team in the world. But for once, they didnt go the whole way through, Sweden coach Pia Sundhage said. They played more attacking football than we did. We defended very well. And the fact that it went to penalty kicks says something about our defending.Sundhage certainly knows the U.S. team. After all, she coached the Americans for five years and won gold medals at the Beijing and London Olympics. Current U.S. coach Jill Ellis was her assistant.The three-time defending champion United States had been the clear favorites in Brazil and would have been the first team to win an Olympic gold following a Womens World Cup title.After the loss, the attention fell on U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo for comments she made about Swedens tactics to go on the defensive. She said she?thought they were a bunch of cowards.We had that style of play when Pia was our coach. I dont think theyre going to make it far in the tournament. I think it was very cowardly, Solo said. But they won. Theyre moving on. And were going home.While the park the bus strategy is often debated in soccer, Ellis simply drew the inevitable conclusion that it was successful.The game is the game, so I think, tactically, thats the coachs prerogative, the coachs choice, Ellis said. They look at their personnel, and they determine a game plan based on that. And I think to take us to penalty kicks is probably a good strategy because then it becomes a crapshoot, right?Can I criticize or knock someone for their tactics? No, thats their choice.On Saturday, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati told Sports Illustrated that Solos remarks were highly inappropriate and not in line with the expectations of U.S. Soccer or the ideals of the Olympic movement.At a news briefing in Rio de Janeiro, IOC spokesman Mark Adams described Solos outburst as disappointing. However, he added that people are free to say those things. We wouldnt stop their right to express themselves, within boundaries, obviously.Lost in all the postgame drama was the spectacular play of Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, who plays club soccer for Chelsea. The 33-year-old national team veteran turned away six shots on goal before prevailing in the shootout.Youve got to be pumped if you win against the world champions. Just playing against the U.S., on paper, you think, Oh my God, this is going to demand something special from me, Lindahl said. I think its something that happens automatically: You get really inspired and focused. It brings out the best of me, at least, when I play against the U.S.Sweden had only beaten the United States five times before Fridays quarterfinal meeting, which the team won 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.The Swedes, who won bronze in 2004, face a considerable challenge in their next match against host Brazil and the countrys star player, Marta. The Brazilians defeated Australia on penalties. In the group stage, Brazil beat Sweden 5-1. Marta scored twice in that game, but more defensive tactics could be coming from Sweden.You always have to take into account the opponents, Sundhage said. We played against the world champions, so thats one reason we chose to play the way we did. Nike Roshe Sneakers On Sale . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Cheap Nike Roshes . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. http://www.nikeroshecheap.com/ . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Nike Roshe Sale Cheap . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League. Cheap Nike Roshe Free Shipping .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights.Roberto Martinez insists Everton will not allow any of their players to leave before the end of the season. The Goodison Park boss is desperate to retain the squad which has climbed the Premier League table in recent weeks and is pressing for a place in Europe next season. Speculation has been rife over the futures of goalkeeper Tim Howard, 36, and 33-year-old defender Phil Jagielka, with the latter linked with a move to the Chinese Premier League. But speaking at the news briefing ahead of Saturdays home game against West Brom, Martinez said: Another of those rumours. Im sure someone somewhere has come up with a story and people have been following that up, nothing else. I can guarantee nobody is going to leave before the end of the season unless it is going to be a loan move to the Championship. Roberto Martinez We are not in a situation to lose players. Phil is our club captain and has been at a really good level. There is no substance whatsoever in that story. However, Martinez has refused to rule out sending some of his fringe players out on loan to the Championship.At the moment, the only thing we are concentrating on is where we are after the January window, Martinez said. Martinez keen to see Oumar Niasse in action at Goodison We have bought two young players, one is Shani Tarashaj and he has gone back to Grasshoppers, the other is Matty Foulds and he has settled very well into the U21s. Theen the outstanding capture of Oumar Niasse was a fantastic way of finishing the window.ddddddddddddNow I can guarantee nobody is going to leave before the end of the season unless it is going to be a loan move to the Championship, if we feel a player needs a bit of playing time.Any speculation is a waste of time. At the end of the season there is a different window and a different situation. At the moment there is nothing to take focus away from wanting to win games. We need as many points as we can. On Wednesday, Everton fan George Shaw, who has Cerebral Palsy, found out he won goal of the month. He was presented with that award by Roberto Martinez on Thursday Also See: Everton video Everton fixtures Everton stats Get a free ￡10 bet ' ' '