
In 2011, the US Women's National Team was twelve years removed from its second World Cup win. The shine of the 99ers was wearing off, particularly after two third places finishes in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. Fans were wondering whether or not the period of American dominance in the women's game had passed. The team was hoping to prove the doubters wrong with a strong showing in the 2011 edition of the tournament. Qualification was anything but straight forward. The US needed a playoff against Italy to even make it in. But, they got the job done and headed to Germany. Though they wouldn't come home with a third star, the USWNT produced one of the greatest moments in soccer history -- a miracle goal at the death by legend Abby Wambach that ultimately propelled the team to the finals against Japan. It would lose in that game and come home with a second place finish, but Abby's goal and the team's overall performance won fans over at a time when they were becoming invested in the ...
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