Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe shine as U.S. beats Australia in Women's World Cup opener

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Any thoughts about Hope Solo being distracted vanished like so many Australia scoring chances on Monday night. The U.S. goalkeeper was the least distracted player on the field, ferociously setting the tone with two mammoth saves early before the Americans could pull away with a 3-1 tournament-opening victory.

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Solo was laser-focused from the start, cutting off all angles and then diving to bat away opponent salvos while her team sloshed through a forgettable first half. Solo almost made every save in the opening 45 to keep the Americans tied 1-1 with Australia at half.

[FC Yahoo: Hope Solo demonstrates why U.S. Soccer decided to stick with her]

"I am perfectly focused, sir, perfectly focused," Solo replied when asked if her preparation was affected by new revelations from a report about her domestic violence charges last June involving her half-sister and nephew.

[FC Yahoo: Australian soccer website: Americans 'just aren't that good']

The U.S. finally showed some offensive flair in the second half. Megan Rapinoe, who was a whirlwind of dribbling and passing throughout the night, found Sydney Leroux, who set up Christen Press to make it 2-1 in the 61st minute.

And then Rapinoe put the match away by firing a howitzer from the left side in the 78th minute for a 3-1 cushion.

Relief pervaded throughout the team as nerves and tight play gave way to a much more fluid finish. By the end, the U.S. looked like the favorites they are supposed to be.

[FC Yahoo: USWNT Live – Look back on USA vs. Australia as it happened]

Rapinoe felt the USA was bothered too much by nerves. "I don't think we played that well today," she added.

The story told by the scoreboard, however, belied the role Solo played. It was the veteran keeper who saved the U.S. from an early abyss that may have not been salvageable by denying some great chances produced by a swarming Australia attack.

For all the issues she has been mired in off the field, she shone bright on the pitch at Winnipeg Stadium. Instead of being a distraction for her teammates, she was a beacon of calm intensity from the opening kickoff.

Solo saved the day again, and if the Americans are to win this tournament, she will have to be as unflappable as she was Monday night.