VIDEO: Sand Trap Men Enjoy U.S. Women's 3-1 World Cup Semifinal

A half-dozen men in their late 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s rooted, groaned and cheered Wednesday morning at the Sand Trap Sports Bar in Beaumont as the U.S. women defeated France 3-1 in a World Cup semifinal broadcast live from Germany.

"It's too interesting," Matt Aponte, 29, of Beaumont, said right after the French tied the match 1-1. "The U.S. goal was way better, but that changed the game.

"You always want to settle it in the 90 minutes, but penalties are exciting."

Looks of concern among the Sand Trap patrons coincided with close calls at both ends of the pitch, until the U.S. women scored two more goals to seal the outcome and advance to the final Sunday in Frankfurt.

Kyle Warsinski, a City of Beaumont analyst who went into work early so he could take a break to watch the match, left the Sand Trap with about five minutes remaining and the U.S. up 3-1.

"We're going to win this one," Warsinski said. "I grew up playing soccer, so it's important to me. It's great so see the women get to the final."

Sand Trap owner Ben Cloninger, 37, said he plans to open at 10 a.m. Sunday for the final, which is scheduled to start before noon.

"I'm looking forward to it," said bartender April Stevenson. "It will be busy for sure."

The other semifinal, Sweden vs. Japan, started just before noon Wednesday.

Cloninger opened the Sand Trap at 8 a.m. Wednesday, when ESPN coverage for U.S.-France from Moenchengladbach began.

On Sunday, the U.S. women were down to 10 players and trailing 2-1 to Brazil in the 122nd minute - injury time of extra time - when midfielder Megan Rapinoe lofted a cross that forward Abby Wambach headed in to score in the dying moments of elimination.

The U.S. women were perfect in the ensuing penalty shootout, goalkeeper Hope Solo blocked one of Brazil's spot kicks, and the Americans advanced 2-2 (5-3 pks) to the semifinal against France.

It was one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup history - men's or women's.

U.S. team players from Southern California include forwards Alex Morgan of Diamond Bar, Amy Rodriguez of Lake Forest, and midfielder Shannon Boxx of Redondo Beach. Rapinoe is from Redding.

Defender Rachel Buehler of Del Mar received a red card Sunday for fouling Brazil forward Marta in the penalty area, and had to sit out Wednesday's semifinal.

The U.S. won two of the first three Women's World Cups, in 1991 and 1999, with a different generation of players. Hosts Germany won the last two, in 2003 and 2007, but were eliminated Saturday by Japan.

The Sand Trap is at 892 W. Oak Valley Parkway, Suite A. For more information, call (951) 922-4949 or visit http://www.thesandtrapsportsbar.com/.