United States at the FIFA Women's World Cup
The United States is one of five countries including Germany, Japan, Norway, and Spain to win a FIFA Women's World Cup.
The United States was also the only team that played the maximum number of matches possible in every tournament until they got eliminated in the round of 16 in 2023.
For the first World Cup Women's Championship, the United States qualified as the North and Central America Qualifications.
At a tournament in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, they met in the first round Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, and Martinique (who, as a non-FIFA member, could not qualify for the World Cup).
This was followed by a 7-0 victory over the Republic of China and a 5-2 draw against Germany in the semifinals, Carin Jennings led the US with a "flawless" hat-trick.
Opponents were Canada, who also finished second as the CONCACAF teams now have two starting slots, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
In Sweden, in the first group match, the United States faced People's Republic of China and played to a 3-3 draw.
In the quarterfinals, the U.S. met Japan and won 4–0, setting up a semifinal match with Norway that was a rematch of the previous World Cup final.
In 1996, the United States had won the first women's football tournament in the Olympic Games and was therefore a favorite for the World Cup title.
[7] Brandi Chastain, after being the last shooter to succeed, pulled off her jersey and knelt in her black sports bra on the field, exulting in the U.S. victory.
In one of the best women's World Cup games, they then lost in the semi-final against Germany 0–3, the last two goals coming in stoppage time.
[9] Germany won their first World Cup title with a Golden goal by Nia Künzer in the final.
[12] A 2–0 victory over Sweden was followed by a defeat of Nigeria 1–0, on a goal by Lori Chalupny in the first minute against the Africa Champion.
[15] Coach Greg Ryan replaced Hope Solo with Briana Scurry, the only goalkeeper in the past 10 World Cup matches, for the semifinals against Brazil which the U.S. lost 0–4.
[17][18] Although Solo apologized a little later for her remarks, she was not used in the match for third place, which was won against Norway 4–1, nor did she join the team on the journey home.
[19][20] Solo was only appointed back into the squad of the U.S. national team in early 2008 by coach Pia Sundhage.
In the group stage, as in the two previous tournaments North Korea and Sweden were again the opponents, and also World Cup newcomer Colombia.
In the second minute of extra time, Abby Wambach managed a 2–2 equalizer after a long Megan Rapinoe cross.
In the first round, the first game against Trinidad and Tobago was a narrow 1–0 victory; the next two matches were more decisive, with defeats of Guatemala and Haiti (5–0 and 6–0).
The group was considered the most balanced of the World Cup; it was the only one with four teams that at least reached the semi-finals in their last continental championship matches.
As in 1999, the game went without goals in the second half, but six minutes after the restart Carli Lloyd scored to ensure a 1–0 victory in their 200th international match.
In the semifinals, the two two-time World Champions United States and Germany met, and the U.S. prevailed with 2–0 to become the first team to reached the finals for the fourth time.
The U.S. defeated each of its group stage opponents: Haiti, Jamaica, and the hosts, securing direct qualification to the World Cup.
The third and final group stage game came against Portugal, who were also making their Women's World Cup debut.
Despite being heavy underdogs, Portugal had the better of the possession for much of the game, limiting the amount of chances created by the U.S. attack.
They lost to Sweden on penalties in the round of 16, achieving their worst-ever World Cup result and leaving without a medal for the first time.
On July 9, 2016, Hope Solo earned her 100th international shutout, 150th career win, and 197th cap in a friendly game against South Africa at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois.
