They're the top team, the favorites and two-time winners, but the US side faces a tough battle for a third women's World Cup title after this weekend's controversial draw.
The 1991 and 1999 winners were quietly fuming after the unexplained decision to pre-position North Korea in Group B left them with little chance of avoiding Asia's No. 1 team.
The US will now open their World Cup campaign against the "axis of evil" country on the most politically sensitive of dates -- Sept. 11.
"I don't understand it," coach Greg Ryan said.
"At this point it doesn't matter," he said. "What's done is done. We just have to start preparing for North Korea as our first match."
Striker Kristine Lilly preferred not to dwell on the controversy and focus on soccer instead.
"I'm not going to get caught in the politics," Lilly said. "Our focus is on playing, on North Korea and doing what we do best."
But North Korea is just the start of the problem for the US, with 2003 runners-up Sweden and Africa's top team, Nigeria, rounding out the ultimate "Group of Death."
"We have three of the five best teams in the world -- that's a tough one," Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby said.
The row over the draw threatened to overshadow preparations for the fifth World Cup, which will be held in China from Sept. 10 to Sept. 30.
Officials repeatedly stonewalled questions from the media about North Korea's placement, although FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi denied that the Koreans had been consulted.
"I think if you make a draw you don't ask the teams," he said.
Meanwhile China, seeded in Group D, are assured of avoiding their Asian rivals until at least the semi-finals.
The hosts will play their two toughest matches in their favored Wuhan Stadium before facing New Zealand in Tianjin.
"I'm confident we have the chance to reach the semi-finals," newly appointed coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors said. "We have a tough group but if we get through anything can happen."
Officials say that interest in the sport has risen significantly since the first World Cup, with more women players, coaches and administrators.
But it has yet to return to the glory of 1999, when a record crowd and huge TV audience watched Mia Hamm's US side take the title in a thrilling penalty shoot-out.
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