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It’s impossible to think about the United States Women’s National Team without thinking about their shocking loss in the 2011 World Cup Final to Japan. They may have won gold at the 2012 Olympics a year later, but the Olympics are no World Cup, and their loss to Japan must have hurt far more than an Olympic medal could ever heal.
The USWNT rode into the 2011 Finals still glowing from the aftermath of one of the most dramatic victories in international soccer history. Up against Brazil in the semifinals, it seemed like the US was just not meant to win: they were reduced to 10 only 35 minutes into the match; Hope Solo saved a penalty, only for it to be retaken at the order of the referee; and Brazil’s 5 time FIFA World Player of the Year, Marta, added a backbreaking finish to give Brazil a 2-1 lead. Only a Brazilian own goal in the 2nd minute kept the Americans in the match. Even with that small silver lining, there was no reason to believe that, as the clock ticked past 120 minutes, the US had any chance of coming back.
But, as the saying goes, that’s why they play the game. Winning the ball back in the 122nd minute, deep in their defensive third, the United States initiated one of the greatest sequences in World Cup history.
The United States would go on to win penalties. There was joy, and belief, and everything good that could ever come from a victory. And then it all ended.
If you want to see what will motivate the United States this summer when they take the field in Canada, look no further than the video above.
Their loss to Japan was crushing. They had more possession, completed more passes, even scored the better goals, and they still lost. When the time came they couldn’t convert a simple penalty kick, and the team that should have won ended up losing.
The USWNT does not want this Summer to be defined by “woulda-shoulda-coulda,” and they certainly have the squad to make sure it isn’t.
The USWNT is stacked. Starting with keeper Hope Solo, the team just gets more and more laden with star power the further away from goal you get. There’s Christie “305 caps” Rampone in defense; hot shot Megan Rapinoe, Tobin “Tobinho” Heath, Carli Lloyd, and Heather O’Reilly in midfield; and Abby “The Bane Of Brazil” Wambach, Sydney “Lightning In A Bottle” Leroux, Alex “20-20” Morgan, and Christen “Goal Button” Press vying for the right to lead the line up front. The United States has never finished lower than 3rd at a World Cup, don’t plan on that tradition ending this year.
The US (ranked 2nd in the world) does have to fight its way out of the Group of Death — conveniently: Group D — but despite the quality of its opponents, it is still the favorite to do exactly that. They have the star power and the depth to beat both Sweden (5th) and Australia (10th). And let’s just have a moment of silence for Nigeria (33rd), they will enter Canada this Summer as dead women walking. A first place finish in Group D for the United States almost assures a win in the next round, as they will be drawn with a 3rd place finisher.
Even if the US does come in second in it’s group, it will likely face Brazil in the Round of 16, a team that it has beat in 25 of the 32 matches they have played.
The main threat lying between the US and a spot in the semifinals, who they have a chance of meeting if they win their group or come in second, and who are better than they were in 2011, according to their head coach. Bias or no bias, an improved Japan is a scary propositoin.
The US should make the semifinals; they are too good and too experienced to achieve anything less. The team itself, of course, will have its sights set on the winning the Final, the lingering pain of 2011 demands that. As fans, we should get ready to enjoy the ride. Rarely does a team combine motivation, talent, and depth the way the United States has managed. Hopefully, that will lead to the rarest title of all: Champions of the World.
Follow Ivan on Twitter: @yetly
