Author: Nancy Armour, USA TODAY

Carli Lloyd is playing in her third World Cup, but is coming off the bench for the first time thanks to an abundance of talent at forward.

The U.S. women beat Thailand 13-0 in its World Cup opener. How’s that any different than a college football team running up the score?

Ada Hegerberg, the inaugural winner of women’s Ballon D’Or, hasn’t played for Norway since 2017 in protest over gender inequity in soccer.

Former US goalkeeper Hope Solo criticized Jill Ellis’ management style, tactical decisions and ability to handle pressure. But Ellis didn’t take bait.

Alyssa Naeher is following in famous footsteps as she takes over in goal of the U.S. women at the World Cup in France.

Lindsey Horan became first U.S. woman to skip college. Mallory Pugh followed her four years later. They, and U.S. soccer are the better for it.

The entire women’s national team has sued U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination, including claims that some earn 38 percent of what men earn.

Rather than two or three favorites, there are five or six countries with legitimate title aspirations at this World Cup