Confident U.S. takes on France in WC semi

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany -- The Americans feel just fine, thank you, not tired a bit. The high they were on after that epic Brazil game? That's so yesterday.

The U.S. women are one game away from reaching their first World Cup final since 1999 -- the last time they won soccer's biggest prize -- and the only thing on their minds now is beating France.

"Losing is not an option," Abby Wambach said Tuesday. "We want to win this thing, and France is standing in our way right now."

The Americans are the top-ranked team in the world and defending Olympic gold medalists, yet they were almost afterthoughts when the tournament began two weeks ago. Two-time defending champion Germany was considered the heavy favorite, sure to get a boost playing on home soil. Then there was Brazil, runner-up at the last three major tournaments and led by Marta, FIFA's player of the year five years running.

And the United States? They had to win a playoff with Italy just to get here, and they'd been uncharacteristically inconsistent with three losses in a five-month span.

But the Germans are now spectators, stunned by Japan in the quarterfinals. Brazil is gone, too, losing to the Americans in a penalty shootout in one of the most exciting games ever at the World Cup, men's or women's. And the United States? They're still playing, and they go into Wednesday night's semifinal with more than a touch of swagger.

"We have what it takes," Wambach said. "It's just a matter of putting it all together."

The biggest uncertainty for the Americans isn't their fitness, it's their backline. Rachel Buehler has started all but one game the last two years, and her bruising style of defense -- she isn't called the "Buehldozer" for nothing -- has been vital.

But she's suspended for the semifinal after getting a red card for taking down Marta in the box in the 65th minute Sunday.

Team USA coach Pia Sundhage wouldn't say who will play in Buehler's place, but Becky Sauerbrunn was working with the starters during training Tuesday.

"I've been fortunate enough to play with her [with the WPS' magicJack] so we're very connected that way," said Christie Rampone, the U.S. captain and its other central defender. "Becky and I feel confident together. We'll watch some film on France today, see what little tactics they have, what little tendencies they have with their forwards, communicate with each other and we'll be fine."

They will have to be because, much like Brazil, France has creativity and flair.

Playmaker Louisa Necib, she of the silken touch and deft passes, has been likened to Zinedine Zidane, the highest compliment a French player can get. Her control of the midfield is masterful, the driving force behind France's quick, fluid offense.

Should the United States beat France, it would face either Japan or Sweden in Sunday's final, with a chance to become the first team to win three World Cup titles.