Holders U.S. shrug off weight of World Cup expectations

FILE PHOTO: Julie Foudy of the USA (C) holds up the Women's World Cup trophy after the USA beat China in the World Cup final on penalty kicks. At left is Mia Hamm (9) and at right is Shannon MacMillan, with flag/File Photo

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Few of the 24 women's World Cup teams arriving in France for next month's tournament will bear the weight of expectation quite like reigning champions the United States.

The three-times winners will be aiming not only to retain the trophy they won in 2015 but also build on their legacy as soccer's dominant women's team and further cement their role as leaders in the fight for gender equality.