Unbelievable

The United States women's soccer team, after their stunning defeat at the hands of Japan.

Unreal.

That is what is great and also heartbreaking about sports.

On one hand, a nation has been united, after such a rough year. On the other hand, one nation who thought they had it in the bag -- twice, loses at the very end.

Congratulations to Japan, who beat the United States in penalty kicks (3-1) after a 2-2 tie.

If anything you can say the US lost this game in the first half when they had opportunity after opportunity to score, giving them some early cushion, but they couldn't get it done.

Even after their first goal, they had a chance to close it out, but they did not. They played a prevent style, and that prevented them from winning the game.

It goes to show how hard it is to win a championship of any kind. So many things need to fall into the right place. I believe to win a championship you need a combination of skill and luck.

What I cannot stand is the penalty kicks at the end.

Let's settle the NBA Finals on a free throw contest, the Super Bowl on who can kick the longer field goal, or the World Series with a home run derby.

Occasionally in tournaments, hockey will have a shootout, and trust me, I hate that just as much. Even the shootout in the regular season bothers me.

Why can't the two teams just play a sudden death overtime until they drop?

Sooner or later, someone's legs will get tired, and someone will take advantage and score. That is what makes overtime hockey in the NHL all so much more epic.

I won't rant long, because I have to go watch WWE Money in the Bank.

But you have to feel for all the players on the United States who were oh so close from winning a world cup. They'll try again four years from now in the year 2015.

Can't wait!