Can the U.S. overcome Germany in the semifinals?
Assuming the U.S. and Germany both win their first-round groups and in the quarterfinals, they will meet in the semis again. Yes, the Germans will play without the best player in the world in Maren Meinert, who decided to get on with her life at the age of 30 (too bad, because she demonstrated there was plenty of life left in her talented feet). Still, with WWC MVP Birgit Prinz in her prime and a solid supporting cast, the Germans still should be a formidable side, especially playing on their home continent. The United States’ WWC championship hopes were thwarted by the marvelous performance of goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg in the 3-0 semifinal loss. The U.S. feels Rottenberg couldn’t have another stellar performance. Or could she? 4. Can the U.S. survive and even thrive without the University of Portland connection? For varying reasons, the Americans will be without either Shannon MacMillan or Tiffeny Milbrett for the first time since the 1991 WWC. Milbrett sounded off on April Heinrich
