This summer's women's World Cup will be the most punishing in history, one that will require the finalists to play seven games on artificial turf in as many as four times zones in less than 30 days.
So for the U.S. to succeed, Coach Jill Ellis said she's going to have to juggle her lineup and reach deep into her bench, something she'll get a head start on Sunday at a sold-out Avaya Stadium, where the Americans will meet Ireland in the first of three send-off games (Fox Sports 1, 11:30 a.m.).
Ellis will be without two key players in forward Alex Morgan, sidelined indefinitely because of a bruised left knee, and midfielder Tobin Heath, who has a strained hamstring.