U.S. Women's Soccer Reaches Crossroads in World Cup Quarterfinal

The U.S. women's soccer team is in an unfamiliar scenario at the Women's World Cup. Today's quarterfinal match leaves the U.S. team as an underdog, after its World Cup hopes took a hit a few days ago. Before facing Sweden in its last group match, America was in top shape to contend for its first title since 1999. But now, thanks to a quarterfinal pairing with Brazil, the Americans are reaching a crossroads in women's soccer.

When the U.S. faced China to end the 1999 Women's World Cup, its win on penalty kicks was a landmark moment for the sport. However, ever since that famous victory, the Americans have struggled to repeat that success, as Germany has won the last two Cups.

In 2011, the Germans were looking for a three-peat as the host nation, which made America a championship underdog. Yet it still had high hopes to go deep in the tournament and challenge the like of Germany and Brazil. But thanks to a 2-1 loss to Sweden in their last match, the Americans now have to face Brazil earlier than expected.

As such, the Brazilians have become the favorite to advance -- and thanks to Germany's shocking quarterfinal loss to Japan -- Brazil may be the favorite to win it all. But if the USA pulls off the win today, it may be favored all over again.

Therefore, the showdown with Brazil has two vastly different outcomes at hand for U.S. women's soccer as a whole. With a win, the team will have a real shot at a second World Cup title, since Germany and Brazil would be out of the way. Such an achievement would re-establish America as a top contender in the sport, after being knocked down a few pegs in the last decade.

However, a loss would show the Americans still have a long way to go, and will knock them down yet another peg. The women's game is tightening up, as Japan, France and Sweden have made big statements by advancing to the semifinals. These days, it is harder to tell if America is still among the top contenders in women's soccer, so failing to make the semis wouldn't help its case.

Even if the U.S. beats Brazil, it will have a rematch with Sweden on the horizon, after the Swedes knocked off Australia 3-1. There is a very hard road ahead for the Americans in the foreseeable future -- a road which they put themselves in due to one bad loss.

Another loss will be a major blow to the Americans, yet a win would certainly show that the U.S. is still a nation to fear in women's soccer. The other World Cup semifinalists will certainly watch closely.

Sources

USA TODAY- "USA-Brazil matchup has several subplots at World Cup"

Yahoo Sport- "Women's World Cup- Huge shock as hosts beaten"