Team USA in the house

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This article was published 03/06/2015 (4101 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They have a challenging draw in the preliminary round of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, so Team USA has left nothing to chance, arriving in Winnipeg plenty early before its first match.

Ranked second in the world, the Americans meet Australia in their opener at Investors Group Field Monday in a four-team group that features three (U.S. Sweden, Australia) of the top-10 teams in the world.

“I think not just the group but the whole tournament (is tough),” midfielder Megan Rapinoe said upon arrival Tuesday night at Richardson International Airport. “Looking back just four years to the last World Cup, every team is better and the field is much deeper, so I don’t think it’s just our group that’s going to be tough.”

Team USA also plays Sweden here June 12.

“The first game is going to be the match,” said midfielder Carli Lloyd. “It’s going to be a big one, it’s going to be tough. We’re going to really have to jump right into it but I want nothing better than that.”

Team USA comes to Winnipeg and the World Cup with momentum. It won the 2012 Olympic gold, captured last year’s CONCACAF title in a romp of five victories (21 goals scored, none allowed) and has gone unbeaten its last nine tune-up matches, including a final 0-0 draw with South Korea on Saturday in New Jersey.

“I think we’re all anxious,” Lloyd said. “We’re so happy to be here in Canada and the buildup has been extremely long since we’re just a hop, skip and a jump away. But we’re really looking forward to it and we know there’s a lot on the line and we’ll go after it.”

The World Cup in Canada begins Saturday and will run through July 5 with FIFA scandals and controversies dominating headlines.

The latest twist in the road came Tuesday when FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced he’ll be resigning.

There was near cheering from the American side readying for the tournament.

“From what I can remember, there’s been a cloud over FIFA with the bribes and the corruption and if these allegations are true, I think it’ll be really good for our game,” Lloyd said about the resignation. “I think that a new leader to come on and just have equal rights for men and women… we care as well and I think it could be a little more transparent. I would love to see someone come on board and really support us and want to grow the game.”

Added Rapinoe: “I think it’s a good thing. It’s obvious the heat’s coming down on everyone and it seems to be getting close to the top. Just last week he said a resignation would be sort of an admission of some sort. I think that’s pretty clear. I think it’s time to move in a new direction. I think it’s exciting.”

Several U.S. players were among those who complained to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario that FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association are conducting this Women’s World Cup on field turf instead of grass.

The complaint was eventually dropped but the unhappiness over the slight and the inequality — the men’s World Cup is played on grass, period — lingers.

“Having turf here, it’s a bit of a disappointment,” Lloyd said. “But we’re very lucky to play for U.S. Soccer and have (U.S. Soccer Federation president) Sunil Gulati supporting us. We’re very fortunate to see the game grow where every country around the globe is being supported the way we’re supported. And having a leader on board… and have equal rights for men and women would be awesome.”

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Team USA was running a little behind schedule Tuesday and needed more than an hour to clear customs and collect their bags, eventually emerging to the greeting of several hundred fans at the airport, among them many young female soccer players.

Rapinoe joked it was “neighbour territory” — the team’s rivalry with Team Canada is strong — but said she and her teammates were thrilled to receive such a greeting, and they obliged with autographs and photos.

“That’s really cool,” Rapinoe said. “I knew you guys (reporters) would be here but I didn’t know we’d have the enemy’s kids here. That’s really cool to see.

“I had no doubt Canada was going to put on a brilliant tournament and they’ve had ‘U’ championships here and it’s been great. I expect more of this for all the games and packed stadiums.”

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca