USA Women's World Cup Draw 2015: Group Fixtures, Schedule and Roster Predictions
The 2015 Women's World Cup feels closer than ever after Saturday's draw revealed which teams would line up opposite one another in the group stage, with the United States facing Australia in their opening match.
Only seven months remain until Canada hosts the tournament, where Japan will be hoping to defend the title they rose to claim in 2011.
Here's how the groups are lined up after Saturday's draw:
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| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F |
| Canada | Germany | Japan | U.S.A. | Brazil | France |
| China | Ivory Coast | Switzerland | Australia | South Korea | England |
| New Zealand | Norway | Cameroon | Sweden | Spain | Colombia |
| Netherlands | Thailand | Ecuador | Nigeria | Costa Rica | Mexico |
Read on for a breakdown of the United States' fixture dates, along with roster predictions and which stars to keep an eye on in Canada next year.
| Hope Solo | Seattle Reign FC |
| Ashlyn Harris | Washington Spirit |
| Alyssa Naeher | Boston Breakers |
| Christie Rampone (C) | Sky Blue FC |
| Becky Sauerbrunn | FC Kansas City |
| Ali Krieger | Washington Spirit |
| Kelley O'Hara | Sky Blue FC |
| Rachel van Hollebeke | Portland Thorns FC |
| Whitney Engen | Western New York Flash |
| Meghan Klingenberg | Houston Dash |
| Crystal Dunn | Washington Spirit |
| Carli Lloyd | Houston Dash |
| Megan Rapinoe | Seattle Reign FC |
| Heather O'Reilly | Boston Breakers |
| Lauren Holiday | FC Kansas City |
| Tobin Heath | Portland Thorns FC |
| Morgan Brian | Virginia (College) |
| Lori Chalupny | Chicago Red Stars |
| Shannon Boxx | Chicago Red Stars |
| Abby Wambach | Western New York Flash |
| Sydney Leroux | Seattle Reign FC |
| Alex Morgan | Portland Thorns FC |
| Christen Press | Chicago Red Stars |
| Amy Rodriguez | FC Kansas City |
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
| June 8, 2015 | Australia | Investors Group Field, Winnipeg |
| June 12, 2015 | Sweden | Investors Group Field, Winnipeg |
| June 16, 2015 | Nigeria | BC Place, Vancouver |
Abby Wambach Takes Lead in All-Time Scorer List
Abby Wambach is teetering on the edge of Women's World Cup greatness. The 228-times capped U.S.A. forward currently sits as the second-highest scorer in the tournament's history with 13 goals and is hoping to take the accolade as her own in Canada.
The striker currently sits second to Brazil's Marta and Birgit Prinz of Germany, both of whom are now retired, giving Wambach a huge opportunity. As the USWNT Twitter account suggests, she's enjoying a prolific 2014 thus far:
Not only can Wambach break the record of 14 goals in Canada, but she can smash it to bits and eradicate the hopes some might have of then overtaking her.
Wambach has scored seven goals in her last five games for the national team, per Soccerway, and even at 36 years of age, is showing why she's already won the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award on six occasions.
Christie Rampone Ties for Tournament Appearance Record
Major international tournaments such as the Women's World Cup are seen as the pinnacle of the sport, and to reach that stage on multiple occasions is a tremendous feat for any player.
Coming to Canada, Christie Rampone will be among the most composed figures in Jill Ellis' squad, where she stands to play in her fifth contest, tying the record for most tournaments played in.
The defender is poised to turn 40 during the competition, but considering the standard she maintains as captain of the national team and Sky Blue FC, she doesn't show it all too often.
Rampone's biggest threats on tying for the record are her Japanese counterpart Homare Sawa and Brazilian midfielder Formiga, each of whom can make their sixth Women's World Cup appearances if called up for Canada 2015.
Morgan Brian Follows Up Graduation with Trip North
On the other end of the age spectrum to captain Rampone sits up-and-comer Morgan Brian, who for much of 2014 was the was the only collegiate player featuring among Ellis' ranks.
This week, the Virginia playmaker was joined in that regard by Sam Mewis, per Travis Clark of Top Drawer Soccer, although Brian remains the more decorated of the two:
After winning the 2013 Hermann Trophy and making it as a semi-finalist for the award once again this year, playing in the national team has been only a minor stumbling block for the midfielder.
Now in her senior year, Brian is leading Virginia on another quest for the College Cup, but with her class being so clearly above that of her peers, it won't be long until she's considered a key in Ellis' line-up.
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