Sat., June 6, marked the beginning of the 2015 FIFA Women’s Wold Cup held in Canada.

The USA women participated in their debut match the following Monday, defeating Australia 3-1.

The American team has waited four long years to redeem themselves and hopefully claim the title for the third time.

In 2011, they battled their way to the final match with a dramatic win over Brazil after penalty kicks and a 3- 1 victory over France. Unfortunately they lost the final match to Japan in penalty kicks.

That loss has haunted the American Women’s National Team. Now they are ready to prove themselves and live up to the legacy left by the 1999 USA women’s team that won their last title in their host home country.

The 2015 team is definitely feeling the pressure to follow in the footsteps of that 1999 team. In game one, they showed the potential to be the competitors they have been in the past.

USA is in Group D during the qualifiers, which some have labeled the “Group of Death” with USA being the top ranked team out of Sweden, Australia and Nigeria.

If you’re watching the USA women play for the first time, key players will include Abby Wambach, the 2012 World FIFA Player of the Year and the all-time leading goal scorer for the team; Hope Solo, two-time gold medalists and one of the best female goalkeepers ever; Megan Rapinoe, who helped score the 2011 equalizer against Brazil and scorer of two goals Mon., June 8; Alex Morgan, part of the dynamic duo up front with Wambach and many more such as Meghan Klingenberg, Sydney Leroux and Christen Press.

If past women’s world cups are any indicator, this year’s games will be full of surprises and drama. Go USA!

Joy Haynes is a staff writer for the Hartselle Enquirer.