The US national team has high expectations as they prepare for the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup for the seventh straight time.
The first ever Women's World Cup took place in 1991, when the United States defeated Norway in the finals to become World Cup winners. In the previous six World Cups, the USA has never finished worse than third place. With two first-place trophies, one second-place trophy, and three third-place trophies, the United States is the most successful nation when it comes to Women's World Cup finishes.
None of that matters, now.
The USA defeated China on Friday in a 1-0 victory, after Carli Lloyd scored a header in the 51st minute. Julie Johnston, U.S. defender, played a beautiful ball from near midfield to assist Lloyd on the goal. In the 73rd minute, the U.S. national team had a chance to secure the victory with another goal, but a shot from U.S. defender, Ali Krieger, deflected off the crossbar.
The U.S. national team has not won a game by more than two goals throughout the entire tournament, however, the defense has been top-class. Hope Solo, goalie for the U.S., has more saves than any other goalie in this year's World Cup. Solo has 11 saves, and only one goal allowed in the first five games, and has been a major reason for the team's success to this point.
The team will need to continue its run of dominant defense if the United States is to defeat Germany in the semifinals on Tuesday. This will be a match-up between the number one and number two ranked teams in the world, and is certain to be one to remember.
Germany comes in with the best offense of any team in the tournament and has made their way to the semifinals in a much different fashion than the U.S. The team defeated Ivory Coast in its first game of the tournament in a 10-0 victory. Germany has recorded 20 goals throughout this year's World Cup, which is more than any other team. The average of all other teams is six.
The USA has not allowed a goal in their last four games, and it has been a total of 423 minutes since Solo allowed one to slip by her -- something even the best goalie in the world would be proud of. The players on the US national team are eager to show off their defense against the number one ranked team in the world.
“Although offensive play is important, it’s defending that gets you titles," said Becky Sauerbrunn, star-defender on the US national team. "Even when matches don’t work out the way you planned, you’ve always got to stay strong in defense."
The winner of the game on Tuesday will be playing the winner of the semifinal match between England and Japan, with the potential of a World Cup Finals rematch from 2011. The U.S. team is much more experienced now. U.S. midfielder, Megan Rapinoe, believes that could be the difference in how this World Cup unfolds.
One player, in particular, is ready to redeem her play from the previous World Cups: Abby Wambach, who is playing in her fourth and final World Cup, but has yet to become a world champion. Wambach won the National Championship with the University of Florida in her collegiate years and helped the U.S. win the gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games, but her eyes are on a much bigger prize, now. She has become the American icon of women's soccer and is, arguably, the best player in the world, but she is missing one thing: a World Cup Final victory.
As Wambach continues to chase her dream, the rest of the nation is right behind her in hopes this will be the year the United States becomes world champions, once again. The U.S. defense is prepared for a shootout against the best offense in the world, and the idea of a World Cup finals rematch has the team more focused than ever.
Two games separate the US from first place. Grab your flags, grab your colors and grab your noisemakers. This is our year.
