The U.S. team heads Group B of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2011 World Cup in Germany. Group A teams are Canada, Guyana, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. The tournament is set for Oct. 28-Nov. 8 in Mexico, organizers said.
The top finishers on each group will qualify for the World Cup while the tournament's third-place team will have a home-and-home series against a European team for a chance at another World Cup slot.
The United States has won all four previous CONCACAF qualifying tournaments, beating Canada in the finals each time.
The Americans are ranked No. 1 in the world in a list issued Friday by FIFA. Canada is ranked 13th and Mexico is the next highest in the field at No. 22.
The 16-team women's World Cup will be contested June 26-July 17, 2011, in Germany. Germany is the tournament's defending champion.
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