REIMS, France — The Women’s World Cup is well under way but, the United States, the defending champions, is on hold.
The U.S. national team doesn’t play until Tuesday night against Thailand in the last group-stage opener for the field playing in France, so the American have been relegated to spectators during the opening days.
“It’s fun for us to watch the games, feel that excitement, feel that energy, and at the same time stay one step away from it, and stay really centered and focused with what we’re doing,” said forward Christen Press.
The Americans are certainly focused.
The team spent 10 days ensconced at Tottenham’s training facility in North London before arriving in Reims, a city some 90 miles northeast of Paris that is the first World Cup stop for the United States.
Press called Tottenham an oasis that allowed the team to get grounded before the monthlong tournament across France in pursuit of soccer’s biggest prize.
“You wait years to get here, and that’s a journey, and then you get here and it’s a whole other journey,” she said.
The Americans watched from Reims as hosts France trounced South Korea, 4-0, in Paris before a sellout crowd to open the tournament on Friday night.
The U.S. women have won the World Cup three times, including in 2015 when they defeated Japan, 5-2, in Canada. They also memorably claimed the trophy 20 years ago on home soil, downing China on penalties after a scoreless draw at the Rose Bowl.
The team is focused on winning again in France even while at home they are looking for a different victory. Known for championing women’s rights and equality, the players collectively filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination by the U.S. Soccer Federation and are seeking pay equitable with that of the men’s national team.
Megan Rapinoe says the team is “hands off” when it comes to the lawsuit for the duration of the World Cup.
VALENCIENNE, France — Barbara Bonansea scored twice, including the game-winner in stoppage time, as Italy upset Australia.
GRENOBLE, France — Cristiane scored all three goals and Brazil spoiled Jamaica’s first-ever Women’s World Cup match.
NICE, France — Ellen White got England off to a winning start, curling in a shot to give the 2015 semifinalists a victory against tournament newcomers Scotland.
In a dominant first half, Nikita Parris netted a penalty in the 14th minute before White struck in the 40th on the French Riviera.
But there was no repeat of England’s 6-0 rout of its neighbor at the European Championship two years ago, with Scotland ensuring it was a nervy end for England coach Phil Neville’s side after Claire Emslie pulled one back in the 79th.
But the 20th-ranked Scots couldn’t produce an equalizer against No. 3 England in Group D, which also features Japan and Argentina.
Despite FIFA’s attempts to talk up ticket sales at the World Cup, the stadium in Nice was only about a third full with the attendance given as 13,188.
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