U.S. Begins Hunt for Third World Cup Title

An American team, which includes two Washington Spirit members and is fueled by the heartbreak of blowing a lead four years ago, begins play Monday in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 24-team World Cup began June 6 in host country Canada, but the U.S. women’s team will play its first game on June 8.

The United States won the first Women’s World Cup in 1991 and repeated as champions in 1999.

Montgomery County-based Washington Spirit players Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger hope to bring the U.S. a third world title.

Harris, 29, a native of Satellite Beach, FL, is a goalkeeper on the national team for the first time. She said in a video on U.S. Soccer’s website that she grew up playing sports with boys, which made her tough.

“It was earning my peers’ respect and standing my ground as woman,” she said.

Krieger, 30, a defender from Dumfries, VA, who played every minute of the 2011 World Cup, has battled a couple of serious leg injuries in her career.

In 2006 she broke her leg while in college, and blood clots in her legs and lungs nearly killed her. In 2012 she tore ligaments in a knee and missed a year of professional competition, as well as the 2012 Olympics.

She says in a video segment that her brother, who has successfully battled addiction to become sober, is her inspiration.

“He’s like my mentor, … he builds me up and makes sure that I realize how great of an experience this is, and how great that these moments. He keeps me grounded.”

The games will be played at six cities across Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton.

Germany is the top-ranked team. The United States is ranked No. 2, reports CNN.

Defending champion Japan, which won its first title four years ago by beating the United States on penalty kicks, is ranked No. 4 this year, while France is ranked No. 3.

Want to watch the U.S. in action?

• The Americans first play at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday, June 8, against No. 10 Australia in Winnipeg, on FOX Sports 1.
• Next up: Friday, June 12, vs. No. 5 Sweden in Winnipeg at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
• Third game: Tuesday, June 16, vs. No. 33 Nigeria in Vancouver at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

»Photos of Ashlyn Harris, left, and Ali Krieger, right, from U.S. Soccer website