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Brandi Chastain gives her keys to a USA win over Brazil in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup.
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There's always a “Group of Death” in any FIFA competition, or so it seems, and that group at next summer's Women's World Cup in Germany belongs to the U.S.

And to Germany. And to Brazil.

There are three “death” groups in this year's field, product of the rapid growth of women's soccer outside the traditional strongholds of the U.S., Germany, Scandinavia and the Far East.

The Americans, seeded Sunday atop Group C, welcomed North Korea, Colombia and Sweden into their quartet during Monday's WWC draw in Frankfurt. That's three legitimate contenders (for at least semifinal berths) for just two spots in the eight-team knockout bracket. And we'll see about Colombia.

And it gets worse: A quarterfinal awaits with Brazil or Australia or Norway (and we'll see about Equatorial Guinea), and the likeliest semifinal foe are the Germans, prohibitive favorites to win their third successive WWC.

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Mexico avoided Argentina and Brazil, but that doesn't mean El Tri received a favorable draw for next summer's Copa America.

The Mexicans, who join Japan as a guest team in South America's nations championship, were placed Thursday into Group C with Uruguay, Chile and Peru. Uruguay was the top Latin American team at the World Cup in South Africa, reaching the semifinals and finishing fourth behind Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan. Chile reached the round of 16.

Host Argentina is in Group A with Colombia, Japan and Bolivia. Brazil heads Group B, with Paraguay, Ecuador and Venezuela.

The tournament begins July 3.