The next test comes Tuesday as U.S. women compete for the World Cup in soccer's most prestigious tournament. Our national team won its first match against Australia by 3-1 on June 8 and fought to a 0-0 draw against Sweden last Friday night in Winnipeg, capital of Manitoba province in Canada. This week's match against Nigeria will be televised from Vancouver, British Columbia, on Tuesday night.

Team USA remains a leading contender to win it all when the four-week tournament ends July 5. The Americans, ranked No. 2 globally now, won the cup in 1991 and 1999. During the 16-year gap since that last championship, U.S. women finished in third place twice and were 2014 runners-up. A star among current players is forward Abby Wambach, who has scored more goals in international matches than any non-professional player ever. Yes, that includes men.

A U.S. loss was averted late in Friday's game when a looping shot from about 10 yards out by Caroline Seger of Sweden seemed to be heading into the net past goalkeeper Hope Solo. Meghan Klingenberg, on the goal line at the right post, jumped and headed the ball off the underside of the crossbar. Coach Jill Ellis called it "a huge, huge defensive play." Now it's on to the Pacific Northwest for Match 3. Stay tuned.

Player says: "Luckily, I got a head on it and it went out. I guess when you're this short, you have to be able to make up for it somehow." – Meghan Klingenberg, 5-foot-2, commenting on last Friday's critical save

Broadcaster says: "We have devoted significant time and resources over the last year marketing the Women's World Cup to emphasize the important role it plays for fans, and specifically female athletes." -- Lou D'Ermilio, Fox Sports senior vice president

Media critic says: "Finding information about the Women's World Cup has been exceedingly difficult. . . . The message is loud and clear: Women's sports aren't deemed as important." -- Katie Hawkins-Gaar of The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla.