REIMS, France -- It is a country with a passion for soccer, a history of success in the men's game and with globally revered club teams that are finally investing resources in the women's game. It is a country with one of the largest populations in Europe and an ample potential talent pool.
And it is a country that now stands in the way of American hegemony in the sport and American success in this Women's World Cup.
But we're not talking France, not yet anyway. On Monday (6 p.m. local, noon ET), the U.S. takes on Spain in the Round of 16.