Women's World Cup: A review of Team USA.

The United States breezed through the group stages of the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup, scoring a total of 18 goals while conceding none in the process.  It seemed like "business as usual" for one of the World's best squads after they beat Haiti, Guatemala and Costa Rica (5-0, 9-0, 4-0 respectively).  They had lifted the Gold Cup 6 times, and were on course for a 7th crown that would guarantee them a spot in the 2011 World Cup to be held in Germany.

Their summer plans almost came to a screeching halt, when Mexico stunned them 2-1 in the semis.  The US took 3rd place with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica to keep their World Cup hopes alive.  The only thing standing in their way was Italy, whom they would have to beat over a two-leg fixture to grab the final tournament spot.  With a 2-0 win on aggregate, the United States narrowly avoided missing the tournament, an absence that would have been deemed "embarrasing" on all accounts.

The final squad for the World Cup featured tested veterans such as Christie Rampone, Heather Mitts, Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach; while Megan Rapinoe, Rachel Buehler, Alex Morgan and Lauren Cheney provided an infusion of youth, as well as a foundation for the future.  With Hope Solo (arguably the world's best keeper) commanding the posts, the United States appeared to have all the necessary pieces to bring home their 3rd world title.

Solo had a fan base that was Wishin' and Hopin'

Even though they fell short in the final against Japan, it was by all accounts a successful tournament; considering how close they were to not even making it in the first place.  From start to finish, we were treated to all the thrills one could possibly ask for.  Abby Wambach's injury time equalizer against Brazil and Ali Krieger's penalty to win the game.  Heather O'Reilly's wonderful opener against Colombia.  Hope Solo making incredible saves look normal.  Megan Rapinoe screaming into a microphone after scoring a goal.  I could go all day, if I had to.  Never was there a dull moment watching this team.

Their journey to get to and through the tournament is rather minor compared to what some of the players had already been through.  Ali Krieger had previously suffered several mini heart attacks after blood clots were found in her lungs.  Hope Solo missed the qualifiers due to her shoulder injuries, and was in danger of not making the World Cup squad as she underwent a lengthy recovery process.  Abby Wambach had a sore achilles tendon that had bothered her for a while.  So battling back against Brazil might have been a big deal, but this team had already won bigger battles.

The future looks bright with Rapinoe and Morgan
leading the attack for the next few years.

After going through the first 2 games without giving up a goal, the US conceded 7 goals in their remaining 4 games; starting with a 2-1 loss to Sweden.  The fact that none of these goals were scored from open play should somewhat be a credit to the defense, which held firm but didn't always look solid.  It also helps when you have Hope Solo in goal.

The revelation of the team had to be Megan Rapinoe.  She was instant energy coming off the bench and had a hand in almost all of America's goals in the knockout stages.  In a not so surprising turn of events, coach Pia Sundhage opted to include Rapinoe in the starting lineup; an indication that nothing would be left to chance.  Her impact on this team is undeniable.

Another player to watch for is Alex Morgan.  With time ticking on Abby Wambach's career, Morgan couldn't have picked a better time to step up and fill in the shoes.  She announced herself to the world when she scored an injury time goal against Italy in the world cup qualifier playoff, helping propel the United States into the tournament.  There was some debate as to whether she should have seen some more playing time, possibly starting ahead of Wambach, but she's got to earn her stripes.  With Morgan, Rapinoe and Lauren Cheney, you can expect the United States to remain a dominant force in the years ahead.

Next up for this team is the 2012 Olympics in London.  The squad will more than likely remain intact, save a player or two, but they shouldn't have any problems winning a 3rd straight Gold Medal.  For all their shortcomings in the World Cup, the Olympic tournament appears to be a safe haven for them.

Hope and a prayer: The U.S. and a Solo mission.

The 2011 Women's World Cup is already under way, and the list of pre-tournament favorites (a.k.a the usual suspects) has more or less remained the same.

There's Germany, the host nation and 2-time defending champion, who've already kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 win over Canada.  Brazil, looking to win their first world title, are at the top of the list as well.  They are led by Marta, the reigning World Player of the Year.  Norway and Sweden will always give any team a run for their money.  The spotlight will of course shine brightest on the team that currently boasts the world's #1 ranking; the United States.

Favorites in just about every tournament they play in, the United States will looking for their first title since 1999, when they beat China in a penalty shoot-out.  In the last 2 tournaments, they managed to make it to the semis, only to fall short.  In 2003, they lost 3-0 to eventual champion Germany.  In 2007, they drew Brazil in the semis.  On the eve of the game, then coach Greg Ryan, opted to bench starting goalie Hope Solo in favor of veteran Brianna Scurry (one of the heroes of the 1999 World Cup and the 2004 Olympics).

Solo could not mask her anger during the
2007 semis against Brazil

Whatever the motive was, it didn't matter as Brazil routed the U.S. 4-0, and Solo didn't pull any punches afterward; ripping Greg Ryan for his decision, and throwing Scurry "under the bus" by appearing to discredit her (Scurry) past contributions to the team's success.  Solo was dismissed from the team immediately and wasn't a part of the festivities when the U.S. went on to claim 3rd place with a 4-1 win over Norway.  Solo has since attempted to clarify that her anger and comments were solely aimed at Ryan (who left soon after when his contract was not renewed), not Scurry; who wound up as collateral damage.

With new coach Pia Sundhage came a clean slate and Solo was restored to the team as the 1st choice goalkeeper.  Her road to redemption culminated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics (ironically, China hosted the 2007 World Cup), when she repelled wave after wave of Brazilian attacks and the U.S. hang on to successfully defend their Gold Medal crown.

Hope Solo has forged a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the game, and while an Olympic gold medal is no "small potatoes", a World Cup winner's medal is ultimately the cherished prize.  She has come a long way, with the 2007 debacle slowly but surely fading from her rear-view mirror.  Triumph in Germany will, if anything, bury the whole thing completely; "six feet under" and all.

Should the U.S. win, will this happen?

Along with Solo, the U.S. will rely on the leadership of Abby Wambach, team captain Christie Rampone and Shannon Boxx in their quest to bring back a title has so far done a great job of eluding them.  With the Olympics just around the corner, a Gold Medal "three-peat" isn't that far from their minds either.  A world cup triumph would definitely provide a big boost going forward.

As Solo and the team embark on their quest, may "The Force" be with them (sorry, but I couldn't pass it up).