Women's World Cup: Team USA, France On Early Collision Course

The women's World Cup is two weeks old. Now it truly begins. The United States closed out group play that predictably was devoid of drama with a 2-0 spanking of Sweden on Thursday, which promotes the Americans to the knockout phase -- along with just about everybody else. With the group portion mercifully over, only eight of 24 teams -- none of which had a snowball's chances in Hades of contending -- have been eliminated. Team USA breezed through Group F with an aggregate goal advantage of 18-0. Only the Swedes, who managed a draw with the Yanks in the previous Cup and stunned them in the 2016 Olympics, put up a semblance of a fight.

Coach Jill Ellis mostly restored her front-line players to the lineup after giving them a pass in the 3-0 victory over Chile. (One exception was forward Julie Ertz, held out with a mild hip injury.)

Team USA struck in the third minute of a dominant first half on a goal by Lindsey Horan. It essentially put away the Swedes on what was ruled an own goal by Joanna Andersson on a ball booted by Tobin Heath of the U.S. in the 50th minute.

Not even a whopping seven minutes of extra time at the end enabled Sweden to crack its goose egg.

Pre-game chatter centered on whether the Americans would be better served with a loss that would place them on the weaker side of the bracket. Next up on Monday is Spain, likely followed by host France, which enters the sweet 16 as the second betting choice behind the U.S.

The players in red, white and blue were incredulous when asked if bowing to Sweden held any appeal to them.

"We want to freaking play France," winger Crystal Dunn said emphatically.

They should get their wish sooner rather than later. Though Spain was competitive against Team USA in a World Cup warm-up in January, the Americans are overwhelming favorites. As is France over Brazil on Sunday.

Circle June 28 on your calendar. That's the date of the presumed USA-France quarterfinals collision in Paris.

A more immediate concern is the condition of forward Alex Morgan, who was lifted at halftime after taking some hits. The playing field is leveled somewhat if she or Ertz cannot answer the bell, but their team enters the real start of the World Cup as an even-money favorite.