U.S. team points to artificial turf for offensive woes at World Cup

U.S. defender Ali Krieger and Sweden midfielder Therese Sjogran battle for possession of the ball during the first half of their group game on Friday at the Women's World Cup. (Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty Images)Finally, an explanation for the U.S. team's offensive struggles at the women's World Cup: It's the artificial turf.

In the team's opening game, a 3-1 win over Australia, Abby Wambach mishit two headers that went wide. And in Friday's scoreless tie with Sweden, Wambach's diving header off the turf was deflected over the crossbar by goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

"I score if we're on grass," Wambach said after the U.S. relocated from Winnipeg to Vancouver for Tuesday's group-play final with…