New on Sports Illustrated: USA Refuses to Avoid Harder Women's World Cup Route–and Is Dealt a Knockout Gauntlet

Both the USA and Sweden were aware that the runner-up in their Women's World Cup group would fall to what's perceived to be a less difficult half of the knockout bracket. While Sweden made sweeping changes and was content with second place, the U.S. went all out–and is faced with a brutal road ahead.