USA Women's Soccer to Avoid Semifinal Letdown?

USA women's soccer is the biggest sports story in America at the moment. This wasn't the case Sunday, as the team seemed destined to be an afterthought once the Americans finished losing to Brazil. Instead, the ladies' impossible comeback has gone down in history, and now all eyes are on Abby Wambach and company as they head into the semifinals. But now that the U.S. women have everyone's attention, can they hold it for longer than one more game -- unlike their male counterparts?

The rally over Brazil was the second impossible escape for a U.S. soccer team in as many years after the men stayed alive in their World Cup with Landon Donovan's last-second goal over Algeria. But that win only got the USA into the second round, where it wouldn't have enough left against Ghana.

If the women's team suffers a similar letdown over France, then all of the progress it made in shocking Brazil will be negated. The comeback will still be one of the sporting highlights of the year, but a semifinal loss would be an unpleasant asterisk.

What's more, it would mean that America will have made no progress in the World Cup at all. Ever since winning the 1999 title, the women have suffered two straight defeats in the final four in 2003 and 2007. A third straight defeat, especially after this kind of quarterfinal victory, would be the greatest near miss of all -- especially in a tournament where both Germany and Brazil are already out.

But perhaps it is those kind of demons that will prevent a massive letdown Wednesday. In addition, the team is nothing like the men, mainly because this club is a regular fixture at the end of the World Cup. The men have had their share of big victories in the last two decades, but have never really been a championship threat. Since this U.S. team has been -- despite not reaching the finals in 12 years -- it is used to this pressure packed stage.

There is still a lot of unfinished business for the women, and the newfound attention on the squad gives it extra incentive to finish the job. In addition, the revenge factor can play a role, since a win over France could give USA a shot at Sweden in the finals. Sweden knocked off the Americans a week ago, forcing them to play Brazil in the first place, so it would be fitting to face the Swedes again at the end.

But first, the USA has to get past France, in perhaps the most scrutinized women's soccer game in 12 years. Those who are now paying attention, and those who have always been, will tune into ESPN to watch Team USA and France at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN. Afterward, Japan and Sweden will clash at 2:15 p.m.

Sources

Washington Post- "Abby Wambach, US women's soccer ready for latest World Cup test"