U.S. women back in action

• AP, Friday, September 16, 2011 4:37 PM

The U.S. women return to the field for the first time since falling in the Women's World Cup final to Japan on PKs when they host Canada in a friendly at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City on Saturday (7 pm ET, Fox Soccer) in the first of a two-game series. The USA also hosts Canada Sept. 22 in Portland (11 pm ET, ESPN2).

Dave Skretta writes that Abby Wambach hasn't gotten over her World Cup disappointment. Neither has Hope Solo, Alex Morgan nor just about anybody else on the women's national team.

"I don't know if I'll ever really be over it," Wambach said.

The games were arranged as a sort of "thank you" to the American fans for supporting the U.S. team's inspiring run in Germany, but it's also a chance for Wambach and Co. to get over the bitter disappointment of the final and look ahead to Olympic qualifying early next year.

"You know, I'll always look back and think about the good times, and about the final, of course, but I don't think I'll ever forget how I felt about the tournament," said Morgan, who was the youngest player on the U.S. roster yet turned in one of the most clutch performances. "It was hard. I mean, I think I played my personal best soccer that I've played with this team, but we didn't pull out the result, and that's the most important thing."

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