US golden girls aim for third title

Hope Solo, goalkeeperFirst-choice goalkeeper Hope Solo, who has played professionally in Europe, also likes Sundhage's style: "Pia wants to be a winner. She wants us to be the best team in the world and to play the best football too, and that is great for us. But there is no room for complacency."

However the US team will have to compete without striker Abby Wambach, who broke her left leg in a warm up match against Brazil. "We are missing a few players due to injury. It is disappointing but that is always the way with football," said Sundhage.

The US face Norway, Japan and New Zealand in their group stage of Beijing 2008 and will contest their first two games in Qinhuangdao and their third match in Shenyang.

"Norway will definitely be a tough match to start with," confessed 35-year-old Rampone, even though the US has recorded two 4-0's win over them this year