Women's World Cup

Women's World Cup

Sweden's Victoria Svensson and Nigeria's Maureen Mmadu tangle in the opening round. It was Svensson's 138th international game.

Forward Abby Wambach (20) came off the field in the 55th minute after colliding with North Korea's Rik Kum Suk. Wambach fell to the ground with blood pouring from the back of her head and onto her face and jersey. For 10 minutes, the U.S. played short-handed while she got stitches. Wambach had scored the Americans' opening goal, in the 50th minute.

Victoria Svensson (in yellow) scored in the 50th minute to gvve Sweden a 1-0 lead against Nigeria in the opening round, but the Nigerians tied the game late for a 1-1 draw. The result left all four teams in Group B with one point.

North Korea coach Kim Kwang-min after his team's 2-2 tie with the U.S: "I think the U.S. is the best in the world, but today they didn't perform to their maximum."

U.S. captain Kristine Lilly, profiled in last week's SI, is aiming for her third World Cup title. She played her first match, at age 16, on Aug. 3, 1987 against China. It was only the 16th game that the American women had ever played. Lilly has now made 332 international appearances.

Sweden's Caroline Seger (5) challenges Nigeria's Christine George for the ball. Seger hoisted a header over the bar in the 57th minute.

Forward Heather O'Reilly (9) holds North Carolina's record for most goals in a single NCAA Tournament (eight, in 2003).

North Korean goalie Jon Myong Hui makes a save in front of Abby Wambach.

Greg Ryan has never lost as coach of the U.S. National Team. He's 39-0-7 since he took over from April Heinrichs in 2005.

A collegiate star, U.S. defender Stephanie Lopez led the University of Portland to a 23-0-2 record and the NCAA Championship in 2005.

Heather O'Reilly's goal in the 69th minute -- into the far corner of the goal from 10 yards out -- gave the U.S. its' 2-2 tie with the North Koreans.

U.S. midfielder Carli Lloyd had a strong performance at this year's Algarve Cup. She scored goals in each of her team's four games in Portugal to win the tournament MVP award.

Led by Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson, the third-ranked Swedes feature two of the best players in the tournament. Svensson scored Sweden's goal in a 1-1draw with Nigeria. Sweden lost the last World Cup to Germany in overtime on a golden goal.

The North Koreans honor the crowd at Chengdu Sports Center Stadium in Chengdu, China. There were 35,100 on hand to watch the 2-2 draw with the U.S.

Security guards in Chengdu, China look over Sports Center Stadium prior to the action.