Megan Rapinoe Vivianne Miedema Alex Morgan Vlatko Andonovski Sophia Smith Trinity Rodman Netherlands Usa Canada Czech Republic soccer Sport FIFA Women's World Cup cup Megan Rapinoe Vivianne Miedema Alex Morgan Vlatko Andonovski Sophia Smith Trinity Rodman Netherlands Usa Canada Czech Republic

World Cup Group E preview

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FIFA ranking: 1Nickname: The Stars and StripesCoach: Vlatko AndonovskiHow they qualified: They came through the CONCACAF competition as winners, beating Canada 1-0 in the final last July.Previous tournaments: Four-time champions, including the last two tournaments.

USA are credited with leading the way in women's football as it skyrocketed in popularity. Their dedication has pay dividends when it comes to trophies.Prospects: They remain the team to beat, even if there is the sense the chasing pack have closed the gap somewhat.

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski will rely on a young cohort to take the wheel, with 22-year-old National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) MVP Sophia Smith complementing veteran Alex Morgan.

Trinity Rodman, the highest-paid player in the NWSL, is also expected to be a key piece of the attack at 21 years old, while fellow forward and teen phenom Alyssa Thompson is the youngest in the squad at 18 having made only three appearances.

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The players aren't supposed to do it. Indeed, it's pretty much the cardinal sin of a World Cup participant to look ahead into the bracket of the knockout round and speculate on opponents down the road.

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