A bit of history: What you should know about the USA women’s team
When you speak about the United States women’s national soccer team, you are talking about the superpowers in women’s football. Call them the USWNT, the World No. 1, if you want, or women’s soccer’s version of Brazil’s male football. Any of these names suit the USA.
The United States’ first taste of women’s football wasn’t that great as they lost 1-0 to Italy on August 18, 1985. However, the best finishers aren’t always the best starters as you can witness in athletics and track and field sprints.
Lessons were learned, team work improved and the 1991 World Cup was one to remember as the trophy went to the United States. What marked women’s football in the U.S, however, was the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil. The Americans’ 5-4 defeat of China in the final was historical. It broke TV audience records, raised the importance of the sport in the media, underlined USA’s authority as a great team and attracted more supporters.
On that day, penalty shootout hero Brandi Chastain also stole the headlines for her classic celebration in which she took off her shirt, dropped to her knees and screamed in her sports bra. No wonder she made the cover of Sports Illustrated and several newspapers around the world!
Could we see something similar in Germany this year?
The records
The United States have earned their name as giants in the world of women’s soccer. One of their big qualities is their ability to produce the same level of successful football in any major event. Yes, the USA have a big name not only at the continental level but also internationally.
At the World Cup
The United States have scored a total of 96 World Cup goals ahead of Sunday’s Japan vs USA final at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They’ve conceded 30 goals and their biggest GF vs GA margin happened in their debut World Cup campaign.
China 1991: Champions—USA secured a 100% record with a 25-5 record.
Sweden 1995: Third place—mixed results which scored a 15-5 record.
USA 1999: Champions—USA succeeded in keeping the trophy at home with a 18-3 record.
USA 2003: Third place—USA suffered their only loss of the tournament at the semi-final stage, ended with a 15-5 record.
China 2007: Third place—A repeat of history didn’t occur in China. USA had to settle for the third spot. Their 4-0 semi-final defeat to Brazil influenced their worst GF-GA record at a World Cup. 12-7.
At the Olympics
Out of 4 Olympics tournaments, the United States have won gold medals at 3 occasions. Their only shock occurred in Sydney 200 when they lost 3-2 to Norway in extra-time in a dramatic final.
At the Gold Cup
The USA are 7-time CONCACAF Gold Cup champions. They didn’t participate in the 1998 edition and finished third in the most recent one. So are the Americans ready to conquer the planet in Germany?
USA’s 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup team
A good thing to know, firstly, is that the USA’s players are all based at home in club football. Many represent either Philadelphia Independence magicJack or Boston Breakers.
5 of the 21 players in Germany are in their thirties while 22-year-old Alex Morgan is the youngest of the squad. On average, the age of the United States’ team is 27.33. Pia Sundhage’s squad is indeed full of experienced talents.
But this new generation inspired by veterans is yet to achieve what USA’s 1991 and 1999 teams managed by becoming World Cup champions. Hope Solo, Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe have really displayed their skills at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in a squad where team work has been commendable so far. Could their influence inspire USA to win this year’s tournament?
USA’s 2011 Women’s World Cup roster
Goalkeepers: Hope Solo, Nicole Barnhart, Jillian Loyden
Defenders: Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone (captain), Becky Sauerbrunn, Amy LePeilbet, Ali Krieger, Stephanie Cox, Rachel Buelher
Midfielders: Kelley O’Hara, Shannon Boxx, Heather O’Reilly, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Lori Lindsey, Tobin Heath
Forwards: Amy Rodriguez, Lauren Cheney, Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach
Coach: Pia Sundhage
