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).