There is more hype around the opening game of the United States Women's National Team in the FIFA World Cup than the one of any other team, even on top of the number one team in the world, Germany, and the defending World Cup Champions, Japan.
The United States has kept most of the players that were part of that devastating loss against Japan in the final after losing their lead twice throughout the game. Japan would win in a penalty kick shootout and beat the USA for the first time in 26 games when it mattered the most.
Now, all the players in the USAWNT say to have forgotten what happened four years ago in Germany and are only focused on adding a third star to their logo. The quest for a title will begin against Australia and through commercials and tweets the U.S. has shown how excited they are for the game to start.
Alex Morgan was the youngest player in the squad that finished as a runner-up in 2011. Now, she is one of the most important players in Jillian Ellis' roster. Her road to Canada has not been easy, as injuries have sent her to the sidelines during the most part of the last two years, but she is ready for this new experience.
Morgan is
Abby Wambach is 35 and most likely playing her last Women's World Cup ever. While Morgan has been absent, her importance in the roster has been on the rise. Today she is the female player with most goals at the National Team level with 182.
Wambach and the rest of the team smile before the games begin
Hope Solo looks forward to working with Abby one last time
Posted this last night...my blog on great friend & teammate @AbbyWambach http://t.co/DfPGlPr4Tw #USWNT #SheBelieves pic.twitter.com/D36XFsQRBD
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) June 3, 2015
A lot of the responsibility of helping the team to move on lies on the hands of goalkeeper Hope Solo. While controversy follows her outside the field, her great work below the posts can't be denied. She has a total of 84 clean sheets with the team. Many consider her as the best goalkeeper in women's soccer.
Hope Solo will not let outside noises distract her from her dream
Staying sharp...can't wait for kickoff to get here! #USWNT #SheBelieves #isiphotos pic.twitter.com/QXml9Ee38F
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) June 6, 2015
They may be the stars of the team, but winning a third title will definitely take a team effort. For coach Jillian, no one is less important in the 23-player roster she has called up for this task.
The wait for the WWC 2015 is over
The time has come. Let's go! pic.twitter.com/D6JbrIr2kA
— Sydney Leroux Dwyer (@sydneyleroux) June 8, 2015
The wait is over. Let the games begin! #USWNT #USA #FIFAWWC #NoMaybes pic.twitter.com/jooWcMdmEk
— Christen Press (@ChristenPress) June 7, 2015
The support for this team also comes from outside
It's Game Day ladies!!! Good luck, we're all supporting you! @ussoccer_wnt @ussoccer #USAvAUS #USA #USA #USA
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 8, 2015
Everyone wish @alikrieger & the rest of @ussoccer_wnt good luck during @FIFAWWC! #WeBelieve #1N1T #11 Let's go #USA pic.twitter.com/6CvjetVNmE
— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) June 8, 2015
Sports Illustrated has dedicated some covers of their magazines to the USAWNT