Following a six-year stint as the number one ranked team in the women’s game, the United States lost top-billing this past December and arrive in Canada in second spot. Despite being considered the gold standard on the international football scene, it’s been 16 long years since the Americans last hoisted the World Cup. How can anyone possibly forget the iconic Sports Illustrated cover photo of Brandi Chastain’s memorable celebration after scoring the penalty shootout decider in front of over 90,000 people at the Rose Bowl to beat China—ultimately the most significant moment in women’s football in North America if not the world. Since then, the USA has finished no higher than runners-up (2011).
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Roster
Goalkeepers: Hope Solo, Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’Hara, Whitney Engen, Ali Krieger, Lori Chalupny and Julie Johnston
Midfielders: Shannon Boxx, Heather O’Reilly, Carli Lloyd, Lauren Holiday, Morgan Brian, Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Meghan Klingenberg
Forwards: Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez, Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach and Christen Press
Coach
Jillian Ellis has been a staple in the women’s program for the last 15 years, having started as a scout in 2000, assistant to Pia Sundhage’s 2008 Olympic gold medal winning side, as well serving as interim coach. Ellis has also been coach at the under-20 and under-21 levels, and along with being the current manager for about a year, she has held the position of development director for the United States Soccer Federation for the last five years. Since taking over from Tom Sermanni—fired on April 6, 2014—Ellis has won 18 of the Americans 25 matches in various competitions and friendlies (losing only two fixtures against Brazil and France).
Group D Schedule
June 8: vs. Australia in Winnipeg
June 12: vs. Sweden in Winnipeg
June 16: vs. Nigeria in Vancouver
How they qualified
Beat Costa Rica 6-0 in the final at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, with Abby Wambach netting four goals at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Wambach won the golden boot at the tournament—finishing off with seven goals—with Carli Lloyd finishing a close second with five strikes. The Americans rolled over their opposition, finishing with a perfect record (five wins), 21 goals scored and none conceded.
Team strengths
The gap between the USA and everyone else has significantly narrowed, though, without a doubt the Americans possess the most dangerous attack in women’s international football—Germany is a close second. All five forwards on the roster (Abby Wambach, Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez, Alex Morgan and Christen Press) have scored 20-plus goals and amassed over 40-plus caps. In midfield, the experience pushing the attack goes unmatched—Heather O’Reilly, Carli Lloyd, Shannon Boxx, Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe have combined for over 800 caps and 180 goals. Good luck shutting this team down and keeping them off the score sheet.
Team weaknesses
It’s hard to find a soft spot overall, but given that the Americans embarrassed themselves from the penalty spot against Japan in the final four years ago—losing 3-1 in a shootout—they better be practising their spot-kicks. Hope Solo was hung out to dry by her teammate’s ineptitude after 120 minutes had been played at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt in 2011.
Player to watch
Sydney Leroux: Born in British Colombia, the American international will be aiming to rub salt into the wounds of all Canadians by lifting the World Cup on her native soil—albeit wearing the red, white and blue. The 25 year-old striker is hated to say the least in Canada for her decision to switch allegiances. With the retirement of Abby Wambach on the horizon, Leroux is the heir apparent and has proved her proficiency in front of goal, amassing almost a goal every two matches since her debut with the senior team in 2011.
Burning question
Will the Americans finally get the monkey off their back and be crowned world champions after 16 years? With eight of 23-man squad heading to Canada over 30 and in the twilight of their international careers—Hope Solo (33), Christie Rampone (39), Carli Lloyd (32) and Abby Wambach (34)—the pressure to win is at an all-time high.
Prospects
Always favourites to lift the trophy at every tournament, the USA have immense depth and quality at every position, there is no reason why the Americans won’t be contesting the final at BC Place on July 5—this team is stacked. However, they are perennial underachievers at the World Cup. Hopefully for the sanity of USA soccer and everyone involved with the program, the drought will finally end the day after American Independence Day.
World Cup history
1991 – Champions
1995 – Semifinals (3rd place)
1999 – Champions
2003 – Semifinals (3rd place)
2007 – Semifinals (3rd place)
2011 – Runners-up