LE HAVRE, France (AP) The United States will finally face a tough opponent in the Womens World Cup, and its a team that embarrassed the Americans in their last significant tournament.
The defending champions wrap up the group stage today with a match against nemesis Sweden.
Which U.S. team shows up remains to be seen: The one that pounced on Thailand in the opener and celebrated every goal in a 13-0 rout, or the more staid team that downed Chile 3-0 and muted the celebration down to a golf clap.
Whats certain is that Sweden poses the biggest challenge to the United States so far.
Three years ago at the Olympics, the Swedes got to the Americans in the quarterfinals by bunkering in on defense to thwart the normally powerful U.S. attack. After a 1-1 draw, Sweden prevailed on penalties and handed the United States its earliest exit in the tournament.
Both teams go into todays match with a pair of wins, and both have clinched berths in the round of 16.
The top-ranked Americans with a win or draw could play Spain in the round of 16. That could set up a quarterfinal clash against No. 4 France in Paris, and then a meeting No. 3 England in the semifinals.
