U.S. will shorten trip to next round by winning World Cup group

Goalkeeper Hope Solo and her U.S. teammates can win Group D of the Women's World Cup with a victory over Nigeria, which is in a must-win situation to advance to the second round. (Wang Lili / Xinhua)The task is rather simple for the United States if it wants to win its group at the women's World Cup and prevent a lengthy trip across Canada to New Brunswick for the second round.

Just win, baby.

Any other result in the team's group-stage final with Nigeria on Tuesday and things get complicated. Here are the scenarios:

—Win the game and the U.S. wins Group D. If that doesn't happen, the U.S. needs help. If it ties with Nigeria, it can still finish atop the group but only if Australia and Sweden…