10 Reasons We Can't Get Enough of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team

There’s excitement in the air after the US Women’s Soccer team defeated #1 seed Germany to advance to the Women’s World Cup final.   This is the squad’s fourth trip, taking home the cup in 1991 and 1999.  And of course, diehard fans remember the team's heartbreaking loss to Japan in 2011, so we are all hoping this is their year for redemption. 

In celebration of America’s team, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 reasons to love these ladies.  Get excited!

(RELATED: 24 Times the Women of the World Cup Had Us Cheering and Crying)

10. The “One Nation. One Team. 23 Stories” Campaign

A few months before the World Cup began, US Soccer produced 2 minute long clips of each player talking about their lives, loves, and triumphs.  You can lose hours watching these profiles.

Photo: Tobin Heath

9. Olympic Record 

Since the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, the US women have medaled in every Olympic games, bringing home gold 4 times and a silver medal in 2000.

The United States women's soccer team celebrates with the gold medal after defeating Japan by a score of 2-1 to win the Women's Football gold medal match on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium on August 9, 2012 in London, England. 

8. Top 10 Scorers

The US team has three of their top 10 scorers of all time playing in this year’s World Cup.  Abby Wambach leads with 183 goals, followed by Captain Carli Lloyd with 66, and Alex Morgan with 52.

Photo: Abby Wambach

7. Abby Wambach 

In what could be her last World Cup, Wambach has remained a leader on and off the field.  She hasn’t played as many minutes as usual, but that doesn’t matter.  Her presence is intimidating to any opposing team, especially when you’re entering a match with fresh legs in the later minutes when they are losing steam. 

Photo: Forward Abby Wambach #20 of the U.S. Women's National Team takes a shot on goal while warming up before the start of their game against Brazil on November 10, 2013 at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

6. Tenacity 

Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Wambach are all playing at less than 100% health and they continue to fight and claw each game.  Not to mention Morgan Brian’s collision with a German player on Tuesday, concussion anyone.  These women are tough, and they are proving it every match.   

Photo: Germany's forward Anja Mittag tackles USA's midfielder Tobin Heath (17) as her teammate USA's midfielder Morgan Brian watches during their 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup semifinal match at Olympic Stadium in Montreal on June 30, 2015. The USA won 2-0.

5. Youth 

Of the 23 players on the US roster, 14 are under the age of 30, which means they should be able to dominate the sport for years to come.  Behind the leadership of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Lauren Holiday, Julie Johnston, and Tobin Heath (to name only a few), this team is set for 2019 and beyond.  

Photo: USA defender Ali Krieger, forward Alex Morgan, defender Becky Sauerbrunn, goalkeeper Hope Solo, midfielder Lauren Holiday and defender Julie Johnston. (BOTTOM ROW FRO LEFT): USA midfielder Tobin Heath, midfielder Carli Lloyd, midfielder Morgan Brian, defender Meghan Klingenberg and midfielder Megan Rapinoe pose during the semi-final football match between USA and Germany during their 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on June 30, 2015.

4. Defense 

Between Johnston, Becky Sauerbrunn, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Kelley O’Hara, and Hope Solo the US defenders have kept squads from Australia, Sweden, Nigeria, Colombia, China, and Germany to just one goal.  One goal in six matches! And three of the games were against top 10 FIFA ranked opponents. 

Photo: Megan Rapinoe (L), Becky Sauerbrunn (C) and Julie Johnston (R) celebrate after winning the semi-final football match between USA and Germany during their 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on June 30, 2015.

3. Hope Solo 

Arguably the best goalie in the tournament, Solo is the rock that the US needs in net, providing a stellar last line of defense.  Solo holds US team records for appearances, starts, wins, shutouts, wins in a season, consecutive minutes played and longest undefeated streak. 

Photo: Goalkeeper Hope Solo of the USA in action during a match between USA and China

2. Celebration Style 

There’s nothing more fun than watching replays in slow-motion HD. “Fuck, yeah” seems to be the preferred celebratory chant after a goal. And we don’t mind at all. 

Photo: Goalkeeper Hope Solo #1 of United States makes a save in the first half against Australia during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Group D match at Winnipeg Stadium on June 8, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada. 

1. Depth 

Alex Morgan (1 goal), Megan Rapinoe (2 goals), Abby Wambach (1 goal), Christen Press (1 goal) and Carli Lloyd (3 goals).  Starters and subs are contributing, making this World Cup exciting to watch.  Then we have players like Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez, Shannon Boxx, and Heather O’Reilly waiting on the sideline.  Epic.

Photo: Alex Morgan #13 and Abby Wambach #20 of the United States celebrate after Morgan scores her first goal against goalkeeper Stefany Castano #1 of Colombia in the second half in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Round of 16 match at Commonwealth Stadium on June 22, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada.