The U.S. team celebrates after Lauren Cheney scored the opening goal against North Korea. on Tuesday. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)
Abby Wambach doesn't need a reminder. The times they are a-changing and she knows it.
The playing field of women's soccer is no longer as lopsided as it was when she won the first of her 150 plus international caps ten years ago. The powerful American forward is in touch with reality.
"The days of U.S. strolling in and winning are over," conceded Wambach in the lead up to the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
She believes her country can claim a third world crown but appreciates the hill is getting ever steeper.
Are too many of the Americans too old? Has the rest of the world caught up and, in some cases, surpassed Team USA? Time alone will tell but for time being they are up and running in Group C. An opening victory over North Korea will, if nothing else, have settled the nerves.
The secretive Koreans are a prime example of how the women's game has spread across the globe. Who knows how much money is being put aside to champion the sport? The results are clear for all to see. Technically, North Korea has made great strides in a short space of time.
It is also producing players of high quality for the foreseeable future. We're told North Korea boasts the youngest roster in Germany. Only one of its 21 members has survived from the squad which reached the quarter-finals four years ago in China.
The relative inexperience was barely noticeable in an even first half. The Americans, with Wambach and Amy Rodriguez leading a 4-4-2 formation, had trouble penetrating a well organized and fast breaking Korean defence. Arguably North Korea was the better team.
It was a different story after the interval. The Americans attacked with more pace and accuracy and as the Koreans dropped off they were punished. Wambach turned provider setting up Lauren Cheney to head the US in front.
Once ahead, the Americans assumed control. It was no great surprise they doubled the lead and finished the game as comfortable winners in Dresden. The Koreans, to their credit, did their best to keep up but a lack of overall fitness and a cutting edge in front of goal cost them dear.
A glance at the post-match stats suggests the U.S. did a professional job on a hot day. Pia Sunhage's players managed 12 shots on goal, forced eight corners, and enjoyed the lion's share of possession. A clean sheet for Hope Solo at the back is another positive check mark for the Americans.
A second win, which must surely be on the cards against Colombia, would book the USA a place in the quarter-finals. After watching the South Americans struggle to contain Sweden's wasteful forwards, the American strikers will be licking their lips in anticipation.
A solid start then by the two time World champion, a nation which has never finished worse than third at five previous editions of the Women's World Cup. The USA may not have all the ingredients to win it in Germany, but it will take a very good team to stop them.
Follow Nigel Reed on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/Nigel_Reed
The playing field of women's soccer is no longer as lopsided as it was when she won the first of her 150 plus international caps ten years ago. The powerful American forward is in touch with reality.
"The days of U.S. strolling in and winning are over," conceded Wambach in the lead up to the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
She believes her country can claim a third world crown but appreciates the hill is getting ever steeper.
Are too many of the Americans too old? Has the rest of the world caught up and, in some cases, surpassed Team USA? Time alone will tell but for time being they are up and running in Group C. An opening victory over North Korea will, if nothing else, have settled the nerves.
The secretive Koreans are a prime example of how the women's game has spread across the globe. Who knows how much money is being put aside to champion the sport? The results are clear for all to see. Technically, North Korea has made great strides in a short space of time.
It is also producing players of high quality for the foreseeable future. We're told North Korea boasts the youngest roster in Germany. Only one of its 21 members has survived from the squad which reached the quarter-finals four years ago in China.
The relative inexperience was barely noticeable in an even first half. The Americans, with Wambach and Amy Rodriguez leading a 4-4-2 formation, had trouble penetrating a well organized and fast breaking Korean defence. Arguably North Korea was the better team.
It was a different story after the interval. The Americans attacked with more pace and accuracy and as the Koreans dropped off they were punished. Wambach turned provider setting up Lauren Cheney to head the US in front.
Once ahead, the Americans assumed control. It was no great surprise they doubled the lead and finished the game as comfortable winners in Dresden. The Koreans, to their credit, did their best to keep up but a lack of overall fitness and a cutting edge in front of goal cost them dear.
A glance at the post-match stats suggests the U.S. did a professional job on a hot day. Pia Sunhage's players managed 12 shots on goal, forced eight corners, and enjoyed the lion's share of possession. A clean sheet for Hope Solo at the back is another positive check mark for the Americans.
A second win, which must surely be on the cards against Colombia, would book the USA a place in the quarter-finals. After watching the South Americans struggle to contain Sweden's wasteful forwards, the American strikers will be licking their lips in anticipation.
A solid start then by the two time World champion, a nation which has never finished worse than third at five previous editions of the Women's World Cup. The USA may not have all the ingredients to win it in Germany, but it will take a very good team to stop them.
Follow Nigel Reed on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/Nigel_Reed
