June 10: Women's World Cup Soccer -- 11:45 a.m. on ESPN

In 1999, Brandi Chastain struck home the final penalty kick, giving the US Women's Soccer team the world title.

At the time, the team completely stole the hearts of the country--40 million people tuned in to watch the final game--and Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Chastain earned far more than their allotted 15 minutes. The 1999 World Cup victory validated Title IX, advanced the game of soccer as an exciting spectator sport for the casual sports fan, and perpetuated the arrogant notion that the US produces the most attractive, most talented female athletes in the world.

In 2011, the storyline is not quite the same. Fan complacency has set in--people think that the women's team is a shoe-in to win even though the US Senior National team hasn't even made the finals since 1999 (3rd place finishes in 2004 and 2007). Despite ESPN's best efforts, the buzz around the women's team just hasn't been there. Four million people watched the US's first game, but the US could be bounced well before the bandwagon even gets rolling.

The most recognizable faces are the aging Abby Wambaugh and goalkeeper Hope Solo, who was unceremoniously pulled from her starting job before the semi-final game of the 2007 and sulked openly about the decision. Solo's petulance appeared to have been justified, as the team got shellacked in the semis, losing 4-0 to Brazil.

The Hope Solo story is really what makes Sunday's quarterfinal game compelling. Who else does the US play on Sunday but Brazil. And this time Hope Solo is without question the #1 goalkeeper in the world. Brazil features the dazzlingly skillful Marta, who will test the suddenly shaky back line who gave up two goals to Sweden in a loss in the final group stage game. The US was hoping to avoid Brazil in the quarters, but the Sweden loss ensured the earlier than expected showdown. Brazil is flashy but not strong defensively; the US is athletic and hard-working.

Here's why you should watch:

1. Hope Solo
2. Marta
3. Megan Rapinoe

Get excited if Rapinoe starts or enters the game. She is a bleach-blond dynamo who gave the team a huge spark as a substitute against Columbia in the US's second game. Watch for her again this Sunday in a similar role, especially if the US needs a goal late.

A loss on Sunday will be considered by the US players, media, fans, and the US Soccer Federation to be a disaster. The US will play with urgency and should be able to expose Brazil's lack of organization on defense, but Brazil has the individual skill to send the US packing.