If there's one thing for sure entering the 2019 Women's World Cup, it's that the United States wants to continue the dominance it has achieved throughout the lifespan of the tournament.
The United States is vying for its fourth World Cup championship. The Americans already have most titles by any nation after winning it in 1991, 1999 and 2015. They were runners-up in 2011 and finished third in 1995, 2003, and 2007. That means of the seven World Cup tournaments the U.S. has competed in, the team has finished in the top three each time.
"It just feels like it’s such an honor when you go out on the field," Julie Ertz told Omnisport. "You just want to inspire and give everything that you have to continue the United States' dominance at this tournament and so just to be able to do that again and have that feeling is absolutely amazing."
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To put into perspective how much success the United States has had at the highest level of the sport compared to other nations, the Germans hold the second-most World Cup titles with two that came in 2003 and 2007. The only other nations to have won a title are Norway (2003) and Japan (2011).
"It’s the biggest stage you can ever be a part of and it's an honor to represent the U.S. because of all the history," Carli Lloyd told Omnisport. "There’s no real explanation other than you just have to experience it. You have to stay the course and try not to get too far ahead of yourself. But there’s not too many things that can replicate those moments except for playing there."
Despite all of the USA's success on the World Cup stage, the team has never won back-to-back tournaments. Coach Jill Ellis led the U.S. to a title in 2015, and while she's aware the Americans haven't reached consecutive victories, she said her focus is just on winning this tournament.
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"I don’t think about whether it’s a back-to-back or whether we’re defending a World Cup," Ellis said ( per FIFA.com ). "Everything is about what’s in front of us. This is a different team in terms of personalities, players, system; there’s so many differences that it’s a new journey for us.
"I don’t think about what has happened before. It’s about making sure this group is ready to go in June and through July, so I think it’s about this pathway we’re on right now and not the past."
Since the tournament started in 1991, the pool of talent in women's soccer has grown exponentially. Just looking at the difference in the sport from the 2015 World Cup, Ellis knows the Americans will have more of a challenge this time around with the added depth on teams across the world.
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"Back in 2015 I said that that would be the hardest World Cup to win because obviously the number of teams entering grew," Ellis said. "But now I would say that this will be the hardest World Cup to win because the number of quality teams, teams that are growing the game, the personalities of the players—our game is growing and growing.
"I think people feel that and I think it’s going to be an amazingly competitive World Cup with a lot of memorable moments."
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