The United States is considered by many to be the favorite in this year's Women's World Cup, and a big reason why is goalkeeper Hope Solo. Solo has made headlines for <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F01%2F21%2Fsport%2Fhope-solo-suspended%2F" target="_blank">some off-the-field troubles</a> in recent years, but on the field she is simply one of the best keepers in the world. She won the award for best goalkeeper at the 2011 World Cup, and she was the starter for the gold-medal teams at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
The United States is considered by many to be the favorite in this year's Women's World Cup, and a big reason why is goalkeeper Hope Solo. Solo has made headlines for some off-the-field troubles in recent years, but on the field she is simply one of the best keepers in the world. She won the award for best goalkeeper at the 2011 World Cup, and she was the starter for the gold-medal teams at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
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No one in the world -- man or woman -- has scored more goals in international soccer than Abby Wambach. She has scored 182 times in 242 appearances with the U.S. national team, and this will be her fourth World Cup. Wambach, who at 5-foot-11 is the tallest person on the team, is an imposing figure in the penalty box and a clinical header of the ball. She was the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year.
No one in the world -- man or woman -- has scored more goals in international soccer than Abby Wambach. She has scored 182 times in 242 appearances with the U.S. national team, and this will be her fourth World Cup. Wambach, who at 5-foot-11 is the tallest person on the team, is an imposing figure in the penalty box and a clinical header of the ball. She was the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year.
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The face of the U.S. team right now is most likely Alex Morgan, who has several major endorsement deals and is often seen on television ads and magazine covers. The speedy forward, right, has scored 51 goals for the national team -- third-best on the roster -- but her health is a question mark going into the tournament. She is nursing a bruised knee and may not be 100% when the United States plays its first match against Australia.
The face of the U.S. team right now is most likely Alex Morgan, who has several major endorsement deals and is often seen on television ads and magazine covers. The speedy forward, right, has scored 51 goals for the national team -- third-best on the roster -- but her health is a question mark going into the tournament. She is nursing a bruised knee and may not be 100% when the United States plays its first match against Australia.
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If Morgan's not ready for the start of the tournament, the United States still has plenty of attacking options. Sydney Leroux is one of the team's bright young stars, having scored 35 goals in 71 appearances. Leroux was born in Canada, where this year's World Cup is being played, and she represented Canada at the youth level before switching to the United States, where her father is from.
If Morgan's not ready for the start of the tournament, the United States still has plenty of attacking options. Sydney Leroux is one of the team's bright young stars, having scored 35 goals in 71 appearances. Leroux was born in Canada, where this year's World Cup is being played, and she represented Canada at the youth level before switching to the United States, where her father is from.
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When watching the United States play, it's hard to miss Megan Rapinoe, who stands out on the field with her bright blonde hair and her attacking prowess on the wing. The 29-year-old spark plug can score goals and create them -- her assist to Abby Wambach four years ago saved the United States when it was just moments from being knocked out in the quarterfinals.
When watching the United States play, it's hard to miss Megan Rapinoe, who stands out on the field with her bright blonde hair and her attacking prowess on the wing. The 29-year-old spark plug can score goals and create them -- her assist to Abby Wambach four years ago saved the United States when it was just moments from being knocked out in the quarterfinals.
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Outside of Wambach, no one on the roster has scored more goals for the United States than Carli Lloyd. Lloyd, a 32-year-old midfielder, has scored 63 goals in 195 appearances. She has played in the last two World Cups and the last two Olympics.
Outside of Wambach, no one on the roster has scored more goals for the United States than Carli Lloyd. Lloyd, a 32-year-old midfielder, has scored 63 goals in 195 appearances. She has played in the last two World Cups and the last two Olympics.
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Becky Sauerbrunn has been a rock for the U.S. defense in recent years. The center back is the only player on the roster to start all of the team's matches this year. This will be her second World Cup.
Becky Sauerbrunn has been a rock for the U.S. defense in recent years. The center back is the only player on the roster to start all of the team's matches this year. This will be her second World Cup.
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Central defender Christie Rampone will turn 40 during the tournament, and she was on the U.S. team when it last won the World Cup in 1999. She has played in four World Cups and four Olympics, winning three gold medals along the way. Only one player -- man or woman -- has played more matches for their country than Rampone: American Kristine Lilly, who retired several years ago.
Central defender Christie Rampone will turn 40 during the tournament, and she was on the U.S. team when it last won the World Cup in 1999. She has played in four World Cups and four Olympics, winning three gold medals along the way. Only one player -- man or woman -- has played more matches for their country than Rampone: American Kristine Lilly, who retired several years ago.
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Julie Johnston is one of the youngest players on the team at 23, but she could be starting in the middle of the U.S. defense for this World Cup. She's started six matches this year and scored three goals on set pieces. In 2012, she captained the U.S. team that won the Under-20 World Cup.
Julie Johnston is one of the youngest players on the team at 23, but she could be starting in the middle of the U.S. defense for this World Cup. She's started six matches this year and scored three goals on set pieces. In 2012, she captained the U.S. team that won the Under-20 World Cup.
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Right back Ali Krieger was one of four U.S. players who played every minute of the 2011 World Cup, and the 30-year-old has started most of the team's matches this year. She is one of the team's best attacking defenders.
Right back Ali Krieger was one of four U.S. players who played every minute of the 2011 World Cup, and the 30-year-old has started most of the team's matches this year. She is one of the team's best attacking defenders.
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Meghan Klingenberg, right, will likely start on the left side of the U.S. defense, opposite Krieger. This will be the first World Cup for Klingenberg, who like Krieger brings attacking ability to the back line.
Meghan Klingenberg, right, will likely start on the left side of the U.S. defense, opposite Krieger. This will be the first World Cup for Klingenberg, who like Krieger brings attacking ability to the back line.
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Playmaking midfielder Lauren Holiday was U.S. Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year in 2014, and she is likely to play a key role for the U.S. team in Canada. She can create goals as well as score them. She's scored 23 in 124 matches.
Playmaking midfielder Lauren Holiday was U.S. Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year in 2014, and she is likely to play a key role for the U.S. team in Canada. She can create goals as well as score them. She's scored 23 in 124 matches.
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The youngest player on the team is 22-year-old Morgan Brian, who plays in the center of midfield. She has already played in 29 matches with the national team, scoring four times. This year she has played in nine matches, starting seven of them.
The youngest player on the team is 22-year-old Morgan Brian, who plays in the center of midfield. She has already played in 29 matches with the national team, scoring four times. This year she has played in nine matches, starting seven of them.
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This will be the second World Cup for winger Tobin Heath, left, who came off the bench four times in the 2011 World Cup. Heath has also been on the last two gold-medal Olympic teams. She's scored 11 times in 92 international appearances.
This will be the second World Cup for winger Tobin Heath, left, who came off the bench four times in the 2011 World Cup. Heath has also been on the last two gold-medal Olympic teams. She's scored 11 times in 92 international appearances.
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Defensive midfielder Shannon Boxx will provide experience to the team, having played in three World Cups and three Olympics. In 2005, she finished third in the voting for FIFA World Player of the Year. Going into 2015, she had started 175 of the 186 matches she had played for the U.S. team.
Defensive midfielder Shannon Boxx will provide experience to the team, having played in three World Cups and three Olympics. In 2005, she finished third in the voting for FIFA World Player of the Year. Going into 2015, she had started 175 of the 186 matches she had played for the U.S. team.
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Midfielder Heather O'Reilly, left, is another one of the team's senior players, having appeared in 219 matches since 2002. The 30-year-old has scored 41 international goals, including one at the 2011 World Cup and two at the 2007 World Cup.
Midfielder Heather O'Reilly, left, is another one of the team's senior players, having appeared in 219 matches since 2002. The 30-year-old has scored 41 international goals, including one at the 2011 World Cup and two at the 2007 World Cup.
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Christen Press is one of the team's attacking options up front. She's scored 20 times in 45 appearances with the national team. This will be her first World Cup.
Christen Press is one of the team's attacking options up front. She's scored 20 times in 45 appearances with the national team. This will be her first World Cup.
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Forward Amy Rodriguez, right, has scored 29 goals in 123 appearances with the U.S. team. She started the first five matches of the 2011 World Cup.
Forward Amy Rodriguez, right, has scored 29 goals in 123 appearances with the U.S. team. She started the first five matches of the 2011 World Cup.
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Kelley O'Hara, right, adds depth to the U.S. defense. The left back was one of three players who played every minute at the 2012 Olympics.
Kelley O'Hara, right, adds depth to the U.S. defense. The left back was one of three players who played every minute at the 2012 Olympics.
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Alyssa Naeher is one of the two goalkeepers who will be backing up Hope Solo when the World Cup gets underway. Naeher started for the U.S. team that won the Under-20 World Cup in 2008. This will be her first World Cup with the senior team.
Alyssa Naeher is one of the two goalkeepers who will be backing up Hope Solo when the World Cup gets underway. Naeher started for the U.S. team that won the Under-20 World Cup in 2008. This will be her first World Cup with the senior team.
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Ashlyn Harris will also back up Solo in goal. She has made six appearances with the U.S. team, and she started two matches earlier this year when Solo was suspended.
Ashlyn Harris will also back up Solo in goal. She has made six appearances with the U.S. team, and she started two matches earlier this year when Solo was suspended.
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Defender Lori Chalupny, right, played for the U.S. team in the 2007 World Cup, but <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fwp-dyn%2Fcontent%2Farticle%2F2010%2F10%2F20%2FAR2010102005825.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">a history of concussions</a> kept her off the team from 2009 to 2014. She was called up in December after passing medical tests, and she played her 100th international match in May.
Defender Lori Chalupny, right, played for the U.S. team in the 2007 World Cup, but a history of concussions kept her off the team from 2009 to 2014. She was called up in December after passing medical tests, and she played her 100th international match in May.
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Whitney Engen brings depth to the team's center of defense. This will be the first World Cup for Engen, who has scored three times in 26 international appearances.
Whitney Engen brings depth to the team's center of defense. This will be the first World Cup for Engen, who has scored three times in 26 international appearances.
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