USA TODAY Sports
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The record books show only that Japan was the champion of the Women's World Cup in 2011, a fact that doesn't even begin to tell the full story but is the only parcel of information that matters.
Soccer success is measured in glittering trophies and gold medals, not near misses and public plaudits, a reality the United States is acutely aware of to the point of obsession leading into Sunday's date of destiny, information that matters.
"It hurts to think about it and talk about it," said U.