Defense saves the U.S. in scoreless World Cup draw with Sweden

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The match finished with two zeroes on the scoreboard, and although the numbers added to nothing, they both stood for a whole lot.

Zero told the story of the United States backline, which was momentous on Friday in preserving a 0-0 draw with Sweden and keeping the Americans in first place in the Women's World Cup's Group of Death. The highlight of the entire match came when left back Meghan Klingenberg headed a Swede volley off the line and off her own crossbar and away from peril in the 77th minute.

"Brilliant," raved U.S. head coach Jill Ellis, mentioning that the team had practiced that exact play all week.

"I knew Hope would have to take a step off her line," Klingenberg said after the match. "I had to have her back."