US Women's Soccer Team
It took two weeks, but it looks like America is finally paying attention to the Women's World Cup. The United States' sensational come-from-behind victory over Brazil as time was winding down in Sunday's quarterfinal match in Dresden, Germany, drew 3.89 million viewers on ESPN. That was easily the biggest audience of this year's tournament (which began June 26), and ranks as the...
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Abby Wambach
Thanks to Olympic gold medals in 2004 and '08, it's hard to remember the United States hasn't won the FIFA Women's World Cup since that exhilarating victory in Los Angeles way back in 1999. "I forget as well," says ESPN analyst Julie Foudy, who played on the winning team. Just as surprising, she says, going into the 2011 tournament, "Even though they're ranked No. 1 in the world, they come in as a little bit of an underdog."
Germany is the favorite as play begins Sunday, not only as the host for the three-week event, but also as the two-time defending champion. Brazil, the 2007 runner-up led by five-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, is another top contender...
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The United States' Abby Wambach by Andy Mead/ WireImage.com
• The U.S. women’s soccer team hasn’t had a crossover superstar since Mia, Brandi and Julie retired, but the team’s latest scoring sensation is on the verge of a major breakthrough. Abby Wambach — who came of age at the 2004 Olympics, scoring the gold-medal game-winning goal — is looking for the 100th score of her international career. Only eight other women have ever reached that milestone. Wambach's next chance comes against Brazil — the team that humiliated the Americans in the semifinals of the 2007 Women’s World Cup — this Sunday in Commerce City, Colorado (July 13, 4 pm/ET, ESPN). If she's held scoreless in that game, she gets another chance on Wednesday, also against Brazil, in San Diego (July 16, 10 pm/ET, Fox Soccer Channel)…• Arena Football League is down to its final four. On Saturday the National Conference championship game features the Cleveland Gladiators at Philadelphia Soul (July 12, 1 pm/ET, ESPN). Later, the G...
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