Intro:

The United States women's team reacted on Saturday (6th December) to their placement in the "Group of Death" for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Script:

The United States has been drawn in the toughest group for next year's Women's World Cup.

Midfielder Carli Lloyd is relieved at the outcome.

SOUNDBITE: Carli Lloyd, USA midfielder

"Now we know who we're facing and I think for all of us it's a little bit of weight lifted off. We now know who we're facing, we've got a lot of time to prep and prepare and it's not gonna be easy. All three, you know, three teams are really tough opponents but I like challenges, the team likes challenges and bring it on."

They'll face Australia, Sweden and Nigeria.

For forward Abby Wambach, it's exciting the tournament is just around the corner.

SOUNDBITE: Abby Wambach, USA forward

"Every team's going to be different, every team's going to pose different challenges and not that that's going to change the way we prepare for the entire World Cup in and of itself but tactically I think it gives our coaching staff a lot more conversation to talk about, what to do under any circumstance - it just brings really to life the World Cup. It's not just around the corner, it's happening. We're now within the confines of the training regimen that we all need to be on. Your focus gets a little bit narrower and narrower as we get nearer to the first game."

The USA has won the crown twice.

They were runners-up in 2011.