USMNT vs. Guatemala video highlights

Videos of all three U.S. goals vs. Guatemala from Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Preview: Wednesday's Schedule, TV Listings, Live Streams

It’s hard to imagine that any of today’s semi-final action could top what has taken place so far for the American women, but there are still two matches to go before anyone claims the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup title. Last weekend’s big match between Brazil and the United States featured some of the most epic moments in women’s soccer history, and the U.S. can only hope it doesn’t take such dramatic heroics to win today’s battle against France.

Fans can find the game played today at 12pm ET/11am CT on ESPN and live coverage has already begun in terms of pre-game analysis. You can also find the game streaming online at ESPN3.com. France looked impressive throughout the competition so far, although their last match against England was almost as close as the U.S. v. Brazil. Both teams probably enjoyed the rest given to them over the last few days.

Coming up in today’s second semi-final is the upstart Japan team taking on Sweden, and ESPN will provide continuous coverage of both games throughout the afternoon. A live stream of the second match can also be found on ESPN3.com.

FIFA World Cup 2011: The Day United States Women’s Soccer Took Over The Headlines

A day after the dramatic World Cup victory over Brazil, we examine the future of soccer in the United States.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Results: Hope Solo, Abby Wambach Experience Sweetest Success

There’s no doubt the entire nation and perhaps the world was wrapped up in the United States emotional 2-1 victory over Brazil in yesterday’s 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match. The epic finish, the drama throughout the contest, the loss of a player for the U.S. and the final penalty kicks all made for a truly unforgettable match for the ages. Yet for two women in particular, the smell of success must truly be sweeter.

For American goalie Hope Solo, it was a chance to turn around her fortunes from the last Women’s World Cup from 2007 where she was benched for her lack of experience despite her success to that point in the semi-final. Even in this contest, she was penalized on a penalty kick for a minor move along the line that’s rarely, if ever, called on a game of this caliber, yet the penalty kick was awarded again and Brazil’s Marta used that to tie the game.

Yet it’s here at the end of the game that Solo’s stop of one of Brazil’s penalty kicks in the extra frame — from Brazil’s Daiane — brings the United States the victory in the end and pushes them miraculously past referee issues and Marta’s goals to head once again to the semi-final. This time, you better believe she’ll remain in goal.

As for Abby Wambach, most analysts continue to insist that each game might be her last on such a stage. At the age of 31, she’s the senior member of the American team and every commentator and sportswriter is discussing just how much she willed her team to win today. She doesn’t look like she’s lost a thing at all, however, and there’s no reason why a 35-year-old couldn’t stay in good enough shape to play in the 2015 Women’s World Cup. After all, Wambach’s fearless header with one minute left in the entire game is what has the United States still standing in the first place.

With this level of momentum, it’s going to be difficult for any of the remaining teams to stop the United States from reaching the ultimate goal of winning in Germany. And there’s no doubt that Wambach and Solo will be the center of that success as they move forward.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Results: Drama, Emotion Overwhelm United States, Japan

Today’s outrageous and unforgettable victory for the United States over Brazil set the stage for the second of two semi-final matches coming up on Wednesday in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany — one that has already featured a few incredible shocks before the finals have even come into view.

This World Cup already lost the overall favorite, Germany, with an incredible upset victory by Japan. But the United States last minute goal against Brazil to tie it and send it to penalty kicks was one for the ages. The amount of global interest and drama focused on the four teams remaining in Germany will be something that everyone will be watching from here on out — whether or not a nation’s team is still in the contest.

For Japan, it’s about establishing the Japanese brand after the tremendous disaster of the giant earthquake and aftershocks earlier this year. Japan’s women’s national team has never made it this far into the World Cup before, and it’s easy to feel the weight on their shoulders as they’re playing for something far more than sporting victories but instead holding the hope of a nation rising once again in their hands.

The other teams awaiting the United States and Japan in the semi-finals are Sweden, a team that only continues to get better with each tournament, and a French team that remains one of the favored teams left in the tourney. There’s no doubt that the emotion and drama will only continue as these teams move forward Wednesday with the semi-final matches.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011: Sunday's Quarterfinal Schedule, TV Listings, Live Streams

Yesterday brought quite a shock for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup with an upstart Japan club shocking the host country Germany with a 1-0 victory. It knocked the heavily favored Germans out of contention as Japan moved on to the semi-finals. More than that, it displayed that anything is possible for the teams remaining.

Today, four more teams hope to make their dreams come true by advancing, and the tournament play began at 6am CT with Sweden v. Australia at the Augsburg site. Sweden currently leads 2-1 at halftime, and the match can be seen on ESPN right now. ESPN3 is also carrying a live stream.

As for the second match, it begins at 10:30am CT and features the two remaining favorites: United States v. Brazil. Both have a history of success at the Women’s World Cup and they’ve split the last two matches they’ve played against each other. This should be a tough match overall with Brazil’s execution going against the United States big play ability. ESPN will carry the match in its entirety and begins coverage at 10am CT. ESPN3.com will also carry a live stream of this one.

The winners of both matches move on to Wednesday’s semi-final play.

Update FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Preview: Saturday's Quarterfinal Schedule, TV Listings, Live Streams

Group Play is over at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Up, and the results so far have not been surprising with nearly every favored team making it through to the quarterfinals. Today kicks off the quarterfinals with four teams playing today and another four tomorrow that will determine who plays in Wednesday’s semi-final matches.

England and France begin today’s competition at 11am CT. France has enjoyed a high-scoring tournament so far, matching the highest overall goal total with 7 — tied for first place with host Germany and Brazil. Marie-Laure Delie and Gaetane Thiney lead France with two goals apiece, and the English defense must account for both players for all 90 minutes.

While France is definitely the favorite here, they are without goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz, who received a red card last game. Whoever wins this match-up will go on to face the winner of the United States v. Brazil match coming up tomorrow afternoon.

For the second match this afternoon, host Germany is the favored team against Japan. Germany has seven wins and one draw in its last eight meetings against Japan, and with a raucous home crowd, this could be the biggest disparity in the quarterfinals. The winner goes on to play either Sweden or Australia.

ESPN is covering the England v. France match-up beginning at 10:30am CT and will continue consistent coverage throughout the day, so soccer fans can leave the channel on and sit back and enjoy. ESPN3.com will also stream the games, and you can check out full listings here.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Preview: Germany, France Look To Stay Unbeaten In Group Play

The Group Play rotation has finished its first full rotation, which means the international spotlight for the Women's World Cup in Germany is rotating back to the host nation and the Group A competitors. In the first round, Germany and France won their initial games, and they'll look to extend those leads to both head to 2-0 in the competition and solidify their standings in the quarterfinals.

In the first game, Germany defeated 2-1 while France defeated Nigeria 1-0. The winners simply switch the teams they defeated this round, which could seriously place Canada and Nigeria in a deep hole they won't be able to escape from. Nigeria will have a definite uphill battle against the host team Germany, whose fans are swept up in patriotic fervor across the country. Certainly the crowd at the game in Frankfurt will be festive and the crowd might be too overwhelming for Nigeria to focus.

Canada must also find a way to get points on the leaderboard against France, but their track record in Women's World Cup competition doesn't bode well for their ability to move beyond the top two here in Group A. Canada has only moved past the Group Play once in four attempts, back in 2003. They have, however, defeated France three times in six meetings and had two draws as well, so there is a history of playing tough against France with decent success. This is the best chance for the teams to be mixed.

Prediction: Germany wins 1-0; Canada wins 2-1

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011: Wednesday's Schedule, TV Listings, Betting Odds For Group D

Equatorial Guinea will kick off its first ever appearance at a Women's World Cup today. Brazil will attempt to finally win one. Both teams help open today's Group D action that also includes Norway and Australia. Some of the closest odds are found in Group D, with Brazil the heavy favorite to advance to the next round. However, not only the winner but the runner-up advances as well, so that leaves both Norway and Australia as the next in line of favored teams and they're not far apart. Then again, perhaps destiny resides with the underdog in Equatorial Guinea.

ESPN will carry both of today's games all morning long in HD with the Norway vs. Equatorial Guinea match kicking off coverage starting at 8:45 ET/7:45 CT. The coverage for the second match featuring Brazil vs. Australia begins at 11:45am ET/10:45 CT. Germany is six hours ahead of Eastern time, which puts the matches at 3pm and 6pm local time.

Current Odds For Group D
Brazil - 14/25
Norway - 2/1
Australia - 7/1
Equatorial Guinea - 40/1

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011: Lauren Cheney, Rachel Buehler Come Up Big For United States

The United States did not look like the overwhelming favorites to come out of Group C — at least in the early going of their opening round match against North Korea. Instead, the U.S. Women’s National Team came out even against the North Korean squad for the first 53 minutes of play in today’s opening contest for both in the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

It took several minutes for the U.S. to look sharp against North Korea in a match that should have been uneven from the start. Perhaps it was fatigue or mental issues, but the offense was sluggish, chances were wasted and kicks toward the goal were too lofty, easily brought down by the opposing goalkeeper, Hong Myong Hui.

Finally, Lauren Cheney broke through at 54’ to score the first goal after having a great chance at 11’ earlier in the first half. Twenty-two minutes after that, Rachel Buehler scored the Americans’ second goal to take a stronger lead that ultimately became the final score — a nice shutout victory that was a bit closer than what the final score might lead you to believe.

Up next for the U.S. is Columbia on Saturday while North Korea takes on Sweden on the same day. The U.S. is now tied atop Group C with Sweden, the two predicted winners.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011: Tuesday's Schedule, TV Listings, Betting Odds For Group C

Other than the host country of Germany, the most formidable team in the 2011 Women's World Cup kicks off today with Group C action as the United States takes on North Korea as the heavy favorites to emerge from a foursome that's much more loaded than yesterday's Group B. The U.S. is the only other country besides Germany to have won the Women's World Cup twice (1991, 1999) and they're considered one of the favorites this year as well. But Sweden is also included in Group C, a team that finished second in 2003 and should look good against the major underdog Columbia in this morning's opening action.

Group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarterfinals, so it would be a major upset if the United States and Sweden didn't both advance. This is Columbia's first time, meanwhile, in the Women's World Cup, so there's no pressure on the team to perform. Perhaps that plays in their favor.

ESPN will carry both of today's games all morning long in HD with the Sweden vs. Columbia match kicking off coverage starting at 8:45 ET/7:45 CT. The coverage for the second match featuring United States vs. North Korea begins at 11:45am ET/10:45 CT. Germany is six hours ahead of Eastern time, which puts the matches at 3pm and 6pm local time.

Current Odds For Group C
United States - 1/2
Sweden - 2/1
North Korea - 10/1
Columbia - 30/1

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011: Monday Schedule, TV Listings, Betting Odds For Group B

After the host country Germany won their opening match to kick off the FIFA Women's World Cup tournament, the action switches to Group B in Monday's action featuring two games that should be incredibly interesting to watch. The four teams in the group face off in their opening matches today, with Japan facing New Zealand and Mexico taking on England.

Germany has won the last two Women's World Cup Finals including the 2007 tournament in China. Other countries such as the United States, China, Norway and Brazil also have strong histories in Women's World Cup action. Group B is one of the weaker overall sections of the tournament, but these four teams hope to change that perception.

ESPN will carry both of today's games all morning long in HD with the Japan vs. New Zealand match kicking off coverage starting at 8:45 ET/7:45 CT. The coverage for the second match featuring Mexico vs. England begins at 11:45am ET/10:45 CT. Germany is six hours ahead of Eastern time, which puts the matches at 3pm and 6pm local time.

Current Odds For Group B
Japan - 5/6
England - 8/5
New Zealand - 10/1
Mexico - 10/1