Memories of a heartbreaking loss to Japan on penalties in the 2011 final will inspire a star-studded US in their quest to capture a record third world crown in Canada.
The US won the first global women’s soccer showcase in 1991, took the 1999 title on home soil by defeating China on penalties and twice led the 2011 final in Germany before Japan equalized, then won 3-1 on penalties.
This year, 13 players from that US squad return for the World Cup in Canada, which is to open on Monday in Winnipeg against Australia.
Photo: USA Today
“For me, 2011 was just a heartbreak,” returning midfielder Tobin Heath said. “The whole motivation now is for that not to happen again and to win a World Cup. For every player in the group, they’re believing that this is our World Cup to win and that’s how we’re preparing.”
The US women’s side have won the past three Olympic gold medals, with 11 players from the triumphant 2012 US gold medal game effort in London in the World Cup squad.
However, players who basked in the London victory — some who did not even taste that bitter loss to Japan — are nevertheless motivated by that defeat.
“Absolutely. I think that loss in the final is part of our DNA,” US forward Christen Press said. “It’s part of our identity as a team. Of course there are a ton of players that weren’t there. I wasn’t there, but it’s still ingrained in us that this is a little bit of a revenge story and a comeback story.”
US fan support for the women’s national team is well known, more than 90,000 filling the Rose Bowl for the 1999 final, even though efforts to build support for a domestic league continue to struggle in its third and latest version.
Still, a sellout crowd of 27,000 in Los Angeles watched a 5-1 rout of Mexico on May 17, veteran Abby Wambach and Sydney Leroux each scoring twice for the US.
And the final US warm-up match — a goalless draw against tournament rivals South Korea last weekend — was attended by a capacity 26,467 crowd at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
The US can count on home support in Canada with their opener near capacity as is their clash against Sweden on June 12.
Mope than 40,000 tickets have also been snapped up for the US’ game against African champions Nigeria on June 16 in Vancouver.
“The players selected have the confidence, experience and desire to help us win a world championship,” US coach Jill Ellis said. “This group of players can accomplish our goal.”
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