BEIJING — In a commercial for a Dodge SUV that has aired for several months, members of the U.S. women's soccer team take a fictitious road trip to South America and find the Brazilian national team in the middle of a training session.

That's when Abby Wambach yells, in Portuguese, "We want a rematch."

Wambach and her broken leg won't be a part of it, but the Americans will get their chance to avenge last September's embarrassing 4-0 loss to Brazil in the World Cup semifinals on a significantly larger stage.

The U.S. and Brazil will face off in the gold medal match Thursday after both teams put up four goals in semifinal wins. The U.S. beat Japan, 4-2, yesterday at Worker's Stadium behind two goals from midfielder Angela Hucles. The Brazilians, in their own revenge game, beat defending World Cup champs Germany, 4-1. The Germans beat Brazil in the World Cup final.

But that game didn't have nearly the ripple effect that the U.S. loss to Brazil did. It was after the semifinal loss that goalkeeper Hope Solo criticized then-head coach Greg Ryan for starting Briana Scurry in net despite the younger Solo having been established as the regular starter.

Solo said she would've made the saves that Scurry didn't. Despite releasing an apology for her comments, Solo was not allowed to play in the third-place match. The disappointing finish combined with the Solo scandal led to Ryan's firing less than a month later.

Solo was randomly selected for doping tests Monday and didn't learn of Brazil's win until well after the result.

"Then I found out it was Brazil and I was cheering in the doping control room," said Solo, who will finally get her chance to back up her claim. "It'll be nice to get some revenge, I guess."

Former Kahuku High School and University of Hawai'i star Natasha Kai entered in the 67th minute.

SOFTBALL

AUSTRALIA ROLLS, 9-2

BEIJING — Former University of Hawai'i star Stacey Porter went 1 for 1 and scored three times as Australia topped Venezuela, 9-2, yesterday in a preliminary game at Fengtai Softball Field.

Justine Smethurst, another former UH standout, pitched two innings for Australia.

The game was shortened to five innings because of the run-differential rule.

Australia will face Canada in tomorrow's semifinals.

WATER POLO

U.S. MEN IN SEMIFINALS

BEIJING — The U.S. men's water polo team received a bye into the semifinals, and are assured of playing for a medal.

The Americans won their group with a 4-1 record. The U.S. will play the winner of Spain and Serbia on Friday.

Brandon Brooks, a Punahou School alum, is the backup goalkeeper for the U.S.

ELSEWHERE

Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, who played basketball at the University of Hawai'i before transferring to Buffalo, scored four points and handed out three assists in New Zealand's 96-60 loss to the United States on Sunday.