A year out from World Cup 2007, the U.S. women's team is younger, more creative -- and as brash as ever

	Lilly (right) has jelled well on the front line with O'Reilly and Wambach. Francisco Paraiso/Getty Images

By Grant Wahl

After the U.S.'s disappointing first-round exit at the recent World Cup, the attention of U.S. Soccer has already shifted toward the new-look women's team, which is in the midst of a six-month residency outside Los Angeles in preparation for the 2007 Women's World Cup in China. And while the purpose of its three-game exhibition series this month is to develop chemistry among the many new players on the roster -- the Americans will look for their fifth straight win of 2006 when they meet Canada this Sunday in Cary, N.C. -- forward Abby Wambach can't help but take a playful dig at her male counterparts. "We're trying to get a couple of games under our belt," says Wambach, 26, cracking a wry smile, "and give some of the American fans a good soccer team to watch." (Ouch, babe.)  ... To get immediate access to this complete story you must be a SPORTS ILLUSTRATED magazine subscriber. If you are not currently a subscriber, see below for a special offer.

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