issue of concussions is raised in World Cup

Germany coach Silvia Neid said forward Carey Price Red Jersey Alexandra Popp did not have a concussion after banging heads with U.S. midfielder Morgan Brian in the first half of the women's World Cup semifinal.
Both returned quickly to the game.
''Alex had a laceration; she did not have a concussion,'' Neid said after the game, which the United States won 2-0 to reach the final. ''If it had been worse, we would have taken her out.''
Popp had blood soaking her hair after the collision in the penalty area in front of the U.S. goal. After being tended to by the medical staff on the field, both players left the match for a minute or so before returning.
Like many contact sports only recently coming to terms with the long-term risks of concussions, soccer has struggled to handle head injuries.
In the men's World Cup final in Brazil last summer, Germany midfielder http://www.authenticcanadiensstore.com/authentic-4-jean-beliveau-jersey.html Christoph Kramer stayed in the game after colliding with Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay. Kramer later had to be helped off the field and said he couldn't remember much from the collision - signature symptoms of a concussion.
Concussion researchers say sports need to develop protocols that do not rely on players and team doctors - who might have a conflict of interest that puts the athlete's health second to the desire to win - to assess their condition. Some suggest neutral doctors, and others want soccer to waive its three-substitute rule for a concussed player.
Neid said that was unnecessary, at least in this case.
The United States is back in the final for the second consecutive time. A Japanese victory over England on Wednesday would mean a rematch of the championship game four years ago.
No Asian team had won the World Cup until Japan beat the U.S. 3-1 in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in the 2011 final.
''I haven't thought about that until about 30 minutes ago, honestly,'' said American forward Alex Morgan, who entered the game at halftime as a substitute. ''It was all about Germany up until the end of this game. The fact that it could possibly be Japan, I think is a great story line.''
England coach Mark Sampson is providing soccer fans back home an excuse to be late for work on Thursday - as long as they stay up to watch the sixth-rank Lionesses play defending champion Japan in the Women's World Cup semifinal.
On Tuesday, Sampson said he's offered his players the same deal: an opportunity to sleep in on Thursday.
England is making its deepest run in the tournament after failing Anthony Fasano White Jersey to win an elimination game in three previous appearances. They've already attracted the support of Prince William, David Beckham and ''Harry Potter'' actress Emma Watson.