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 The United States have dominated at the Olympic Games, winning four
of the five gold medals that have been contested, but that success
has not been replicated in the World Cup since 1999 when they won
their second title.
Four years ago, the Americans were highly fancied to triumph in
Germany but fell at the final hurdle, suffering a 3-1 defeat on
penalties to Japan after the game ended 2-2 after extra-time.
The bulk of that team is back again forming a squad that boasts an
impressive amount of World Cup experience.
Defender Christie Rampone will be playing in her fifth World Cup,
while Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach will be making their fourth
finals appearances.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo and midfielders Carli Lloyd and Heather
O'Reilly enter their third World Cup but the squad also has some
exciting younger talent, with eight players set for their first
tournament.
Coach Jill Ellis believes she has the right mix of youth and
experience and knows that the physical demands of competing during a
Canadian summer means she may well need to call on most of her 23
women.
"We're going to need a lot of bodies up there in Canada, out in the
heat, and over the past six or seven months, we've been able to play
a lot of players and give a lot players experience," said Ellis. "I
truly feel that we’ve vetted these players through this and feel
truly confident and excited about the group we have."
While there is solidity at the back with Solo long regarded as the
world's top keeper and the back-line full of experience, it is in
the attack where the team's strengths lay.
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Morgan has pace and skill, Leroux brings directness and energy and
Wambach, with 182 goals in 241 international appearances, is a
natural finisher.
"We are so diverse in attack, they all have tremendous assets and
experience and we are really stacked at that position," said Ellis.
"We have proven goal scorers, great options and it is certainly one
of our strengths."
The United States are the favorites but have a tough group with
Sweden, Australia and Nigeria all ranked in the top 10 in the world.
(Reporting By Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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