1. Hope Solo and Abby Wambach are back
The U.S.'s two best players have been battling through injuries over the past year, but both proclaimed themselves fit for the World Cup before Sunday's final warm-up game, a 1-0 win over Mexico. Solo missed six months after having surgery on her right shoulder in the fall of last year. She missed CONCACAF qualifying for the World Cup, and only made her return to the U.S. national team in April, playing the second half of the team's 2-1 loss to England.
"Looking back, I can't believe how close I cut it to the World Cup," Solo said at a joint Niketown-U.S. women's national team event in New York City on Saturday. "I've only been back for [three] games and now we're about to embark on our greatest journey. Looking back, I had wished I had gotten the surgery earlier, but at the same time, shoulda, coulda, woulda. I'm peaking at the right time, thankfully, because of my goalkeeper training and my coaching. I don't necessarily need a million games to peak. I'm confident going into the World Cup despite only having two games."
For Wambach, it's a return to form after battling through Achilles tendinitis over the past few months. She's been on a hot streak over her last few games, even netting a hat trick for her Women's Professional Soccer club team magicJack in her final WPS game until after the World Cup.
"Getting a hat trick is something any forward will throw in their back pocket, especially heading into a world championship," Wambach said at the Niketown event. "I'm excited to get to Germany. I'm excited that my body is finally feeling more healthy than it's felt probably in a year. I guess you could say it's perfect timing."
Solo was not challenged by Mexico over this past weekend, but proved to be back to her usual self in the two previous friendlies against Japan. She came up with saves when called on, and showed no hesitation going into dives where she would land on her right shoulder.
"There's nothing like it," Wambach said of having Solo back in net. "Having her confidence, her strengths. When she goes into a 1v1 challenge with an opponent, I'm fairly certain and confident that she's going to make the save or at least do something for us. She comes up big."
2. The U.S. defense has seen a lot of changes, but stands strong
The U.S. is more than set in the center of the defense. In fact, the squad has so many central defenders that Amy LePeilbet, the two-time Women's Professional Soccer Defender of the Year, finds herself forced out onto the left wing. While she's still learning how to get into the attack, her defensive presence is still excellent.
When Christie Rampone missed two friendlies because of a groin injury, WPS ironwoman Becky Sauerbrunn stepped into the starting 11 with ease and is a solid first option off the bench in case of an injury to the backline. Ali Krieger appears to have locked down the right back position, but Heather Mitts' return from injury to make the squad (coach Pia Sundhage made it official on Sunday) could mean some changes once the team gets to Germany.
3. The rest of the world can compete
Whether it was midfielders Kelly Smith and Fara Williams taking over for England in the April 2-1 win over the U.S., or Mexico goalkeeper Ceci Santiago holding off the U.S. for most of the game this past weekend, teams and players have been able to take it to the U.S. this spring. It's not a bad thing. It means the rest of the world is very talented and that the 2011 World Cup should be the most competitive yet.
"The road to the World Cup has been bumpy. In a perfect world we should have scored a couple of goals today, but my glass is half full," Sundhage said after Sunday's game. In that match, Santiago made eight saves and the U.S. needed a 92nd minute wonder goal from Lauren Cheney to earn the 1-0 win.
Because of recent results -- three losses dating back to October of last year, this U.S. team has an underdog quality to it. It's not going to be an easy ride through the tournament. The April loss to England, one of a handful of teams expected to challenge the big three of Germany, Brazil and the U.S., has largely shaped the conversation in women's soccer this year. We'll find out in a few weeks whether this year's World Cup will produce any more surprises.