U.S. faces toughest challenge yet

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Only the vagaries of the World Cup draw could conjure up a meeting of the world's top two teams in the quarterfinals.\n"Seems like it should be the final, doesn't it," U.S. forward Shannon MacMillan said Monday of the impending match with Norway. "It surprised us, and after (today), one of us will be going home. That's why it will be an unbelievable game with a lot of emotion."\nThe game tonight at Gillette Stadium is the second of a doubleheader that opens with Sweden against Brazil. The Brazilians beat the Norwegians 4-1 in the first round, an upset that led to the U.S.-Norway game in the second round after the Americans swept through their group.\n"I think they should be ranked No. 1," U.S. defender Kate Sobrero said. "They beat us in the Olympics, and that was the last major event. For me, they should be No. 1."\nBut they aren't; the Americans are. And while Norway performed well in two opening-round games, that loss to Brazil exposed some problems the Americans are primed to exploit.\nBrazil successfully attacked the flanks, using speed and strong passing, then power in front of the net. The Americans, led by Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Cindy Parlow and Kristine Lilly, have displayed those same skills in abundance.\nOne thing Norway definitely has in its favor, though, is a lack of fear. Only one nation has a winning record vs. the United States: Norway, at 18-16-2.\n"Norway is not afraid of us," Sobrero said. "Not that any team should be, but U.S.-Norway is a great rivalry, and they have had a lot of success with us. They like to compete. On the other hand, we aren't afraid of any team, either. We'll come at them like we do everyone."\nSeveral Norwegians have starred in the WUSA, including forwards Dagny Mellgren (Boston Breakers), Anita Rapp (New York Power) and outstanding midfielder Hege Riise (Carolina Courage). But Riise is coming off a knee injury -- as is MacMillan -- and can be used only sporadically.\nEven though Norway was second in Group B, having it matched up with the United States so early provides a spotlight dance worthy of the later rounds. Not that either side is flinching about the possibility of leaving the tournament so soon.\n"We seem to play the U.S. a lot in big situations and we like that," Norway coach Age Steen said. "This is another one. We wanted to meet the U.S. a little later in the tournament, but we have to play them now, so that's how it is."\nU.S. captain Julie Foudy agrees, emphasizing that none of her teammates were looking to avoid the Norwegians -- or anyone else.\n"I'm definitely surprised it's now, but we knew going in there was a great chance they would advance," Foudy said. "Norway or Brazil, it was going to be one of them, and that's not an easy 1-2. It'll be a great battle. They've had our number a couple times and we'll definitely try to make sure they don't have our number this time."\nWhile Norway, the 1995 World Cup winner, has the edge on the United States in the series, the Americans won the last three matches, including two this year.\nPlus, the United States is at home, although Norway has won eight times on American soil, dating to 1987.\n"I love being home and the feeling you get when you walk out on the field and hear that crowd," Foudy said. "But we've played them a lot of times here. We've seen them so much over the years, we know them. And they know us"