Coach: Pia Sundhage (SWE)

Previous appearances: 6 (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2006)

Best finish: Champion (1991, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2006)

World Cup qualification: 5 (1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007)

International honors: World Cup champion (1991, 1999); Olympic champion (1996, 2004, 2006); Algarve Cup champion (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010)

Key players: F Abby Wambach, D Christie Rampone, M Heather O'Reilly, M Shannon Boxx

The six-time, and three-time defending, CONCACAF champion comes into World Cup qualifying unbeaten in 11 games this year, including nine victories and having outscored opponents 24-6. The Americans bring a roster that includes seven players with more than 100 caps, two with more than 200 and international all-time leader Kristine Lilly (349). However, it will be without regular No. 1 goalkeeper Hope Solo, who had an operation on her right shoulder in September and will miss five-to-six months.

In the six CONCACAF women's championship tournaments, the United States has won 23 of 24 games, drawn the other, and allowed only four goals. It won a seventh Algarve Cup title in March, beating two-time defending World Cup champion Germany 3-2 in the final.