No women’s team has won a World Cup and followed it up with Olympic gold.
The United States has plans to change that, beginning with Group G’s opening clash with New Zealand at 6 p.m. EDT on Wednesday at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.
WATCH: New Zealand vs Team USA on NBCOlympics.com
Team USA is in a challenging group with France and Colombia, and will be expected to scoop up all three points against the Football Ferns. New Zealand head coach Tony Readings brings his 17th ranked side to the tournament with plenty of savvy in veterans Ali Riley, Abbey Erceg and Ria Percival.