our goal wasnt to make the final. Our goal was to win the first game

RIO DE JANEIRO -- When the question has been Argentina plus field hockey, the answer has usually been Las Leonas.The Lionesses, the national womens team.Featuring the great Luciana Aymar, the women in this century, alone, medaled at the last four Olympics, won two World Cups and seven Champions Trophies.Meanwhile, the mens team, Los Leones, played in relative obscurity. Even when they achieved their best international result, a bronze at the 2014 World Cup, the women won bronze, too.But no more are they in the shadow of the women, who play in the quarterfinals on Monday.The men reached the semifinals for the first time in 11 Olympics on Sunday by beating Spain 2-1, and will have two attempts at a medal from Tuesday. The winning goal against Spain came just 68 seconds from the end, a penalty stroke by veteran defender Juan Gilardi.Their joy was unrestrained at the Olympic Hockey Stadium, as they jumped in a huddle or leaped into each others arms. Some went to console the Spaniards, who were spread across the turf in tears.This is a reward for all Argentine hockey, coach Carlos Retegui said. Those guys in Argentina shirts played with heart, and this is a prize for work, work, and more work, for teamwork, for commitment, patience, execution, and intelligence in their play.The men have always been good -- making the Olympics says so -- but just not good enough to play for medals.After a roller-coaster run through the pool stage, highlighted by four goals to draw with Germany, the defending two-time champion, Los Leones proved the 2014 World Cup result was no fluke.The difference is maturity, especially in the last three years. The side features five players with more than 200 international appearances, and five more with more than 150. Falling behind on the scoreboard doesnt faze them because their leadership has seen it all. They have options up their short sleeves.This team never surrenders, Retegui said.Defender Gonzalo Peillat, who scored his team-leading seventh goal from a penalty corner, said the team had high expectations.We are a team with the ambition to keep winning, and thats what shows every time we go on the field, Peillat said. If we want to be champions, we want to meet the best. Jahlani Tavai Lions Jersey . "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. Detroit Lions Jerseys . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. http://www.authenticnfllionslockroom.com/Youth-Jarrad-Davis-Elite-Jersey/ . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Calvin Johnson Youth Jersey .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Barry Sanders Youth Jersey . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. PORTLAND, Ore. -- It seems like everything is going right for the Portland Thorns heading into the National Womens Soccer League playoffs.The Thorns finished out the regular season with a four-game winning streak and claimed the NWSL Shield for the team with the best record. They also clinched home-field advantage for the first time. They face the Western New York Flash in a semifinal game Sunday.Forward Christine Sinclair credited first-year coach Mark Parsons. The Thorns (12-3-5) always had talent, she said, but that didnt always translate into wins.The difference is this year were a team from the top down, Sinclair said. I thought when Mark came on board it changed a lot. He stressed being a team -- you know, hanging out outside of soccer practice -- and I think youre starting to see that on the field. Were willing to do anything for each other.Sinclair also recognized the players who were with the team all season while their teammates were in and out in preparation for the Olympics. Sinclair won the bronze medal in Rio with the Canadian national team. The Thorns roster also includes U.S. Olympians Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Meghan Klingenberg, Allie Long and alternate Emily Sonnett. Additionally, Amandine Henry played for France in Brazil.In a pre-match conference call Thursday, Klingenberg unexpectedly took over to sing Happy Birthday, even though it was no ones birthday, and Sinclair dissolved into giggles. Parsons deadpanned: I have no way to explain.Former Thorns coach Paul Riley took over the Flash in February. He said hard work led his young team to the playoffs.We didnt set any goals. Our goal wasnt to make the playoffs, our goal wasnt to make the final. Our goal was to win the first game oof the season, Riley said.dddddddddddd Thats really the way weve approached every game. Weve set no goals for the group, we just wanted each player to get a little bit better each game and believe in the process -- and things will happen if we do everything right to the best of our abilities.The atmosphere at Providence Park could be hostile to the visitors. The Thorns boast the best home attendance in the league with an average of 16,945 fans per game this season.While Portland is the third team in league history to allow an average of less than one goal a game over the course of the season, the Flash (9-6-5) are just the third team to average at least two goals a game. The Flash are paced by league Golden Boot winner Lynn Williams with 11 goals and five assists.The Chicago Red Stars (9-5-6) play the Washington Spirit (12-5-3) in the other semifinal match on Friday night at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Neither team has ever played for the league championship.The two teams met just last weekend with the Red Stars earning the No. 3 seed in the playoffs with a 3-1 victory. It was the Spirits second straight lost and denied the team the NWSL Shield.The goal is to win a championship, Spirit coach Jim Gabarra said. If you dont make the playoffs youre obviously not going to win the championship. If you make the playoffs and win the Shield and you dont win a championship then you still havent achieved your ultimate goal.Chicago finished the season tied with the Seattle Reign with eight total shutouts. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher had six clean sheets.FC Kansas City won the 2015 NWSL title. ' ' '