The United States defeated Brazil to win a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, but has lost its international dominance. The Americans were soundly defeated by the South American champions, 4-0, in the semifinals of the 2007 women's World Cup.  Even before Wambach got hurt, injuries had begun to deplete the American depth. Defender Cat Whitehill and midfielder Leslie Osborne have already been lost for the Olympics after tearing anterior cruciate ligaments in their knees.  The United States won Wednesday's exhibition 1-0 on a header by substitute forward Natasha Kai after a free kick in the 85th minute. It also defeated Brazil 1-0 on Sunday, though the outcome of the two exhibition matches meant little, as Brazil was absent three of its star players, including Marta, considered by many to be the best women's player in the world at the moment.  The United States begins Olympic play Aug. 6 against Norway, the 2000 Olympic champion. The American women will also face Japan and New Zealand in group play.  The Americans are now 21-0-1 this year under new coach, Pia Sundhage, but they will enter the Olympics minus Wambach, their assertive leader and one of their most experienced international players. In her absence, the United States will have to rely on young, largely untested forwards like Kai and Amy Rodriguez.  Wambach has been an evolutionary player for the United States women, serving as a bridge from the seminal teams led by such stars as Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers to today's younger, far more inexperienced squad.  Hamm and Akers have retired, along with such stalwarts as Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Brandi Chastain. Briana Scurry, who started as goalkeeper as the United States won the 1999 women's World Cup and the 2004 Athens Olympics, was cut from the 2008 Olympic squad. Kristine Lilly, another longtime star, is on maternity leave.  Without the steadying, forceful influence of Wambach, the American women will enter the Beijing Games undefeated this year but suddenly uncertain.  "Obviously, it's devastating, but above everything else, I'm only one player, and you can never win a championship with just one player," Wambach said in a statement. "I have the utmost confidence in this team bringing home the gold."  Her teammates seemed stunned, less sure.  "My heart sank," Kai was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "We need her. She's a big piece of a great team."
The United States women’s soccer team suffered a potentially devastating blow when its top player, forward Abby Wambach, sustained a serious leg injury.