When asked about international soccer’s best teams, the casual fan would answer with countries such as Germany, France, Brazil or Spain. However, one extremely large nation is missing from that list: The United States of America.
While the United States Men’s National Team has struggled to gain notoriety, falling to No. 31 in the FIFA World Rankings, the Women’s National Team has been all the rage. Currently in a flip-flop pattern with Germany for No. 1 in the world, the USWNT is preparing to etch its legacy into World Soccer lore by winning its third Women’s World Cup title. With the 2015 Women’s World Cup approaching fast, the USWNT is going through the final paces before entering the tournament.
Historically, the USWNT has been a mainstay at the top of the World Rankings, winning the inaugural WWC in 1991 and again when the United States hosted the tournament in 1999. In every other WWC, the USWNT has finished in the top three, most recently finishing as runners-up following a heartbreaking defeat against Japan in the 2011 Final.
Some of the best players have come from the United States, including Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain. Even today, legends continue to be made, from Abby Wambach, to Christie Rampone, and now Alex Morgan.
Going into this summer’s tournament, it’s safe to say there are huge expectations for the USWNT. But the real question is, can the USA return to glory? The answer is yes … but they’ll have to go through Germany.
The last time the USWNT won the World Cup, the tournament was hosted in North America. With this summer’s edition in Canada, it essentially becomes the United States’ tournament to lose.
In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the United States Men’s National Team was placed into the group of death with three of the best teams in the world. In FIFA’s ongoing quest to deny the United States any mercy, the women’s team has met a similar fate.
The USWNT will play in Group D at the Women’s World Cup, along with Sweden, Australia and Nigeria. Sweden, a familiar foe in the group stage for the United States, sits in fifth place of the World Rankings. The United States and Sweden have met in the group stage in every tournament since 2003, with the United States going 2-1, but losing most recently in 2011.
Nigeria, No. 32 in the world, is another common opponent in the group stages for the United States, and the teams will meet again this year for the fourth time in five tournaments in the group stage. In these matches, the United States is 3-0, outscoring Nigeria 13-1.
New opponent Australia is currently No. 10 in the world. The United States Women have played the Matildas just thrice in the past four seasons and not at all since late 2013, winning all three times by a combined score of 12-3. Australia is a much-improved team since the two last played, placing in the top four of a competitive Asian Qualification Tournament.
The United States should have no trouble advancing through the group stage, and depending on how they finish in the group, the matchups in the knockout rounds will vary. Should the United States win Group D, they will be pitted against one of the four teams finishing in third place of their group. However, if the USWNT finish second in Group D, they will likely face a potent Brazil team and may possibly be sent home early. A third place finish in the group and impending qualification for the knockout stage would mean a possible matchup with Germany, the World’s top team, or hosts Canada, ranked No. 9 in the World.
So what does all this mean? By winning the group, the United States secures an easier matchup in the knockout stages and potentially a guaranteed two victories to advance to a marquee semifinal match versus Germany.
The United States and Germany have met just four times since the start of 2012, with the United States winning once and drawing three times. Germany, however, is also seeking a third trophy, as well as one to match their male counterparts. Led by recently crowned Women’s Player of the Year Nadine Keßler, the Germans are ready to win.
Can the USA really return to glory? There is no doubting it will be hard, but with the American women playing the way they traditionally have and currently are, the USWNT may once again hoist the Women’s World Cup trophy, which has eluded them for 16 years. A victory for the United States would not only elevate the program, but might be the elixir that U.S. Soccer has needed in order to bring the sport to the forefront of American athletics.
Daniel Shulman is a sophomore at Boston University majoring in Journalism through the College of Communication. A native of Stoughton, Dan is a sports fanatic who loves everything Boston sports related. He is currently a Sports Hawk at the Boston Globe in the High School sports department. He is also a statistician for both Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Men’s Ice Hockey. Aside from writing, Dan has an interest in music, movies and cooking.
