Nothing Is Easy For U.S. Women's Soccer

Image via WikipediaThe United States women's soccer team made things harder for themselves at the FIFA World Cup in Germany, even though they made it to the quarterfinals.  In the only upset of the tournament so far, Sweden defeated the Americans 2-1 on Wednesday in the final game of the first round.  The U.S. needed only a win or a tie to win their group.

Both Swedish goals were set up by defensive mistakes.  The U.S.' Amy LePeilbet tripped a Swedish player in front of the goal, resulting in a successful penalty kick for the Swedes.  Their second goal came off a free kick that deflected off of LePeilbet.  Abby Wambach scored the only U.S. goal in the 67th minute of the second half.

Previously, the U.S. had shut out North Korea and Colombia in Group C play, which meant that this match wasn't exactly do-or-die.  Now, having clinched second place in their group, they get to play favored Brazil in Dresden on Sunday.  Germany is seeking its third consecutive Women's Wold Cup title, hoping to win it in front of the home folks.

This is not your mother's World Cup side, which was last won in an historic 1999 game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.  Instead of Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Brianna Scurry, we now have Wambach, Hope Solo, Heather O'Reilly and Amy Rodriguez defending the Red, White and Blue.  They were one of the last teams to qualify for the Women's World Cup, after losing to Mexico in an important match.

This current collection of American women has won gold medals at the past two Summer Olympic games.  Now they'd like a Women's World Cup to call their own.  But first, they have to start scoring against Brazil.