RIO DE JANEIRO -- After competing at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center during the preliminary round last week, the U.S. womens water polo players had a more impressive venue Monday afternoon. For one thing, they played Brazil at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, where Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky swam to multiple gold medals.And for another, the pools color was blue, not green.According to Rio Olympic officials, last weeks sudden and surprising green color in the Maria Lenk pools for water polo and diving was due to the mistaken use of hydrogen peroxide. That created a sea of concern about the waters safety, but the U.S. team said it was no big deal at all.Weve played in a lot of different types of pools, goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson said. It was just another pool.U.S. coach Adam Krikorian said people made a much bigger deal about the color than was warranted and that the team has been in much worse pools. Even the pools we train at sometimes. It happens, he said. Its fine as long as the temperature is OK and its healthy. The players werent saying anything to me [about problems].Captain Maggie Steffens said she received many questions about the green water but that it had no effect and was no different than playing any other water polo game. Still, she loved playing in the swimming center Monday where Phelps had competedYou can even feel the energy that swimming left here, she said. Anytime you get to be in a stadium or pool that your sport plays in and feel the energy that was left by legends, literally legends, it makes playing so much more unique. You can almost feel that energy in the water.The Brazil team certainly felt the energy, albeit in a bad way for their chances, because the energy from the U.S. team completely dominated the game. The Americans led 13-0 at one point on their way to the 13-3 victory and advanced to a semifinal against Hungary on Wednesday.When we walked out, I could feel the energy, I could feel the passion that was bubbling through the stands, Steffens said. I was just smiling, and looking up I could see a lot of American flags. I hope that one day we can play in the final and fill up those stands. And make history when it comes to womens water polo.The Americans are trying to become the first country to win consecutive gold medals in womens water polo, which was added to the Olympics in 2000. They won the 2012 Olympics, and the way they have been playing, theyre a good pick to win here. They have yet to lose a game while outscoring opponents 47-17. Nine U.S. players scored goals Monday.As many goals as the U.S. has scored, Krikorian said the defense has been the biggest part of the teams success. Johnson did not allow a single goal Monday. The U.S. gave up Brazils three goals after Krikorian subbed for her near the end of the game.While water polo is not a popular sport in the United States, Steffens says the U.S. women are strong because of the playing opportunities that athletes in California and Florida get, plus the tight connections they can make with past Olympians. She also wants more people to notice the sport.I truly think water polo is not only the most fun sport to play, but to watch, too, Steffens said. Yes, Im biased, but I grew up a swimmer and a soccer player, a basketball player. I did gymnastics. Im a huge Warriors fan now. I love watching womens soccer. I watch other sports, but man, water polo encompasses all of those sports.Youre able to sit down and watch one hour of the sport and get the sense of basketball, get the feel of swimming, get the feel of wrestling, get the excitement of soccer. And I would love to show that to the world ... with the way we play. We would love to move forward and play the semis and the final in this pool, and we have to play our best.Water polo is extremely popular in the Balkans and central Europe, including Hungary, which has won nine gold medals on the mens side but no medals on the womens side. The U.S. beat Hungary 11-6 in the preliminary round here.Its the semifinals, so well have a tough matchup no matter what, Steffens said. But I think if we can continue to play with the heart and the passion [well win]. And I would like to have the Brazil fans even cheering for us.
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Clay Buchholz Blue Jays Jersey . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. .Golden TateLions vs. Vikings ? A flip for the game winnerThe situation: In overtime, the Lions have a third-and-8 on the Minnesota 28-yard line knowing a touchdown ends the game. The play: Matthew Stafford throws the ball to Golden Tate, who shakes off one defender and then his former college teammate, Harrison Smith, and starts running to the end zone. As he gets close, he flips in the air and is hit as he crosses the goal line, giving the Lions a 22-16 win.AP Photo/Jim Mone.Michael ThomasSaints vs. 49ers ? The helmet helps for the touchdownThe situation: The Saints have first-and-10 on San Franciscos 32-yard line, leading 31-23 with 13:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. The play: Drew Brees heaves a deep ball up to rookie receiver Michael Thomas in the end zone, despite tight coverage from CB Tramaine Brock. Thomas turns and reaches both arms around Brock to bat the ball to himself as he falls backwards for the 32-yard touchdown, his fifth of the season, tops among rookies.AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron.Dak PrescottCowboys vs. Browns ? A proven starter who finishesThe situation: Dak Prescott tries to lead the Cowboys to their seventh consecutive victory, the longest since Jason Garrett became the head coach midway through the 2010 season. Prescott, a fourth-round pick, keeps playing better each week. He passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland. The play: Prescott throws a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten giving the Cowboys a 7-3 lead they never relinquish in the first quarter. He completes passes to eight different receivers in one of his most efficient performances of the season.AP Photo/David Richards.Odell BeckhamEagles vs. Giants ? Defended, but not stoppedThe situation: Second-and-goal from the Eagles 1-yard line. The Eagles had just scored to close the gap to 14-10, and the Giants regroup after being stuffed on a first-down run. The play: The Giants have three wide receivers to the right with Beckham closest to the sideline. While in shotgun formation, quarterback Eli Manning fakes the handoff to running back Rashad Jennings. Cornerback Leodis McKelvin lurches toward Beckham at the line of scrimmage. But Beckham makes a quick move around him as Manning fires toward the back of the end zone. Beckham jumps over McKelvins back to make the catch for his second touchdown of the first half.AP Photo/Bill Kostroun.Marcus MariotaTitans vs. Chargers ? Pushes for the pylonThe situation: Second-and-10 from the Chargers 14-yard line with the Titans trailing 19-14 with 12:19 left in the third quarter. The play: Titans QB Marcus Mariota takes the snap out of the shotgun and on a designed run races up the middle and then cuts outside. With Chargers safety Dwight Lowery closing in, Mariota begins his dive for the end zone from the 4-yard line and clips the pylon for a touchdown and a lead for the Titans. Mariota finishes with four touchdowns - three passing and one rushing - but is also plagued by turnovers with two interceptions and a fumble.Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports.Mike WallaceSteelers vs. Ravens ? 95-yard touchdown catchThe situation: In a scoreless game with the Steelers, the Ravens are backed up deep in their own territory late in the first quarter and face a second-and-9 from their own 5-yard line.dddddddddddd The play: Mike Wallace runs a short slant pattern, catches a Joe Flacco pass that sails away from his body and outruns Steelers safety Mike Mitchell for the touchdown. It marks the longest play from scrimmage in Ravens regular-season history.Rob Carr/Getty Images.Kenyan DrakeJets vs. Dolphins ? Breakthrough kickoff returnThe situation: The Jets kicking off after scoring a touchdown with 5:15 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins trailing 23-20. The play: Dolphins rookie running back Kenyan Drake takes the kickoff and breaks through the middle and heads to the right sideline for a 96-yard touchdown return. The play proves to be the winning score for Miami, securing its third win in a row.AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee.Marcus PetersJaguars vs. Chiefs ? Awareness pays offThe situation: The Chiefs lead the Jaguars 19-7 midway through the fourth quarter but Jacksonville is staging a comeback, with second-and-goal from the Chiefs 1-yard line. The play: Chiefs defensive end Jaye Howard knocks the ball loose before Jaguars running back Chris Ivory crosses the goal line. Cornerback Marcus Peters recovers in the end zone and helps the Chiefs hold on for a 19-14 victory.AP Photo/Charlie Riedel.Jordan TodmanColts vs. Packers ? 99-yards to the houseThe situation: The opening kickoff sails all the way to the Colts 1-yard line where Jordan Todman fields it. The play: Todman bolts up the middle of the field and at around the 25-yard line he breaks right and races down the sideline untouched the rest of the way for a 99-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Colts lead with just 13 seconds into the game. It is the first kickoff return for a touchdown by the Colts since Week 17 of the 2012 season.Dylan Buell/Getty Images.Mark IngramSaints vs. 49ers ? Finds the hole for a 75-yard touchdownThe situation: The Saints take over possession at their own 25-yard line with 5:56 remaining in the first half after San Francisco closed within 21-10. The play: Running back Mark Ingram bursts through a big hole inside right tackle and cruises down the right sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run -- the longest of his career and the fourth longest in Saints history. It was a big play for Ingram, especially, since he was demoted last week to the No. 2 running back job behind Tim Hightower after fumbles in back-to-back games.Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports.Dwight LoweryTitans vs. Chargers ? Scoops and scoresThe situation: Second-and-15 from the Chargers 47-yard line with 2:44 left in the third quarter and San Diego leading 26-21.The play: Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota works out of the pistol formation and runs the option to his right. San Diego outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tackles Mariota, popping the ball loose. Inside linebacker Korey Toomer initially picks up the ball and loses it, with safety Dwight Lowery scooping up the loose ball and rumbling 36 yards for the score.AP Photo/Denis Poroy ' ' '
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