CLEAN : Team USA the favorites heading into womens World Cup

The transcript discusses the journey to joining the national soccer team and the establishment of soccer as a premier sport in the US, aided by financial resources. It highlights the cultural impact of female soccer players, who became widely recognized and admired. The transcript also touches on the competitive landscape, noting that European countries are catching up in soccer, making the upcoming World Cup different. The transcript concludes with some unrelated remarks.

What cultural references are made about the girls playing soccer?

What does the speaker predict about the upcoming World Cup?