PORTLAND, Ore. - The 3-0 semifinal loss to Germany ended the U.S. women's World Cup run.
There still is a game to play, but it's not the one they had hoped for.
The Americans face Canada on Saturday in Carson, Calif., for third place. Germany and Sweden play in Sunday's final.
"It's been a great journey, every step of the way," said coach April Heinrichs, the captain of the U.S. team that won the first World Cup title.
"It's difficult when you lose, and it's difficult to get yourself together for another game. We'll take a few days off and spend some time together."
A championship would have been the United States' third out of the four World Cups. It would have meant the most to Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly and Joy Fawcett. They have played in all four World Cups.
But Hamm and Fawcett said they plan to retire after next year's Olympics.
The last time the Americans lost in the World Cup was 1995, 1-0 to Norway in the semifinals. Norway beat Germany 2-0 in the final, and the Americans beat China 2-0 for third.
Hamm, who set up quality shot after quality shot during Sunday's loss, burst into tears after the game. Later, she smiled as she spoke glowingly of her teammates.
"I wouldn't change this team for any other team in the tournament," she said. "It's an amazing group of athletes that became an even more amazing group of people.
"I've never been a part of a team that genuinely cares as much for each other as this does. Every member of this team would do anything for any other member, on the field or off."
