Hucles Scores Twice in Americans' Semifinal Win Over Japan

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BEIJING, China — Former Cavalier soccer player Angela Hucles scored two goals to help lead the United States into the gold medal game on the Olympic soccer tournament with a 4-2 victory over Japan in the semfinals. The Americans will meet Brazil in the final on Thursday in a rematch of the 2004 gold medal game in Athens.

After the Japanese took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute, Hucles’ first goal of the day drew the Americans even in the 41st minute. Lori Chalupny gave the United States the lead three minutes later and Heather O’Reilly made the score 3-1 in the 70th minute. Hucles’ second goal of the day capped the scoring for the US in the 80th minute before Japan scored in stoppage time to make the final score 4-2.

The performance was Hucles’ second career multi-goal game of her national team career, as she previously had a two-goal performance against France in 2004 at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

Hucles leads the Americans in scoring at the Beijing Olympics with four goals in the tournament.

The United States-Brazil final will start at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 21 and air live on USA Network.