London 2012: U.S. Women's Soccer Team Will Avenge World Cup Defeat in Olympics

By the end of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the US women will once again sit on the throne as the queens of their sport. 

This is a throne they had comfortably occupied until they were knocked from their perch in stunning fashion in this past World Cup. 

In that World Cup, the US had a 2-1 lead in the finals against host country Japan with just three minutes to go. That is when Japan found the equalizer, and the match wound up in penalties, where Japan cruised 3-1. 

It is safe to say that the US women have had their sights set on the Olympics since that crushing loss. 

Striker Alex Morgan even went as far as to say that she hoped their quest for Olympic gold had to run through that same Japan team. Here is Morgan as quoted by The Chicago Tribune:

"

We definitely hope to see Japan again. They are the champions of the World Cup. We're looking for them, whether it's the semi-finals or finals, they're definitely someone we're looking forward to.

"

The US's motivation goes far beyond just taking down Japan. They want the gold. They've taken the top spot in the past two Olympic games, and they aren't going to settle for anything less here. 

Midfielder Carli Lloyd drove that home in the following quote also captured by The Chicago Tribune:

"

We want nothing more than a gold medal and we're going to do anything we possibly can to get on that podium at the end and receive that gold medal around our necks.

"

Sentiment, determination and focus aside, this squad has the goods to get it done. 

The US will send a squad to the Olympics that is strikingly similar to the one that was so close at the World Cup, and that is most definitely a good thing. This is a dominant group of players. 

Following their loss in the World Cup, the women picked up their dominant ways. They will enter the games as the world's No. 1 team. 

This team is actually even more deadly than the one at the World Cup. Morgan has gained even more experience and asserted herself in this lineup. She has quickly become one of the deadliest strikers on the planet. 

With her emergence, and the team's focus and drive, they will not be denied in these games.