The woman just doesn't know how to lose.
Since joining the U.S. women's national team in 2004, midfielder Leslie Osborne has tasted defeat only once in 45 games.
With the Brookfield, Wis. native in the lineup, the USA is a sterling 40-1-4. Win No. 40 came Saturday night, a 3-0 quarterfinal triumph against England.
Making her second start of the tournament as a defensive midfielder, Osborne shut down England's main threat, former Seton Hall standout Kelly Smith.
That came only days after the 24-year-old Osborne was called upon to stifle Swedish star Victoria Svensson in an opening-round match. She did that as well en route to a 2-0 victory.
"Leslie had a fantastic game, both defensively and helping us possess and win balls in the air," U.S. coach Greg Ryan said. "We play a zone in the midfield, but today we changed that a little bit and had her follow Kelly Smith when Kelly was in positions where she could receive the ball."
Smith attempted only one shot.
"Leslie did a great job of keeping Kelly as quiet as you can keep a very talented player like Kelly Smith," Ryan added. "She was able to keep her under pressure where she didn't get as many opportunities to run at our back line. ... She was a key to both victories."
That did not go unnoticed by her teammates.
"Leslie has just done a great job," midfielder Shannon Boxx said. "We have realized that we work very well together, communicating on the field. She had the great job of marking Kelly Smith most of the time, and I don't think Kelly did much, and that was because of Leslie and the defenders helping to contain her."
When Osborne and Boxx are on the field at the same time, they played well together.
"Something just clicks with us, our communication," Osborne said. "We feel comfortable with each other out there. We read off each other really well, and we played offense and defense tonight. We're not just two defensive midfielders. We can keep the ball for us, possess, and we're not going to let anything past us. It's just fun out there, and we enjoy being out there together."
A member of the U.S. team that captured the FIFA Under-19 World Championship in 2002, the 5-foot-8 Osborne's winning habits began well before she started wearing the red, white and blue.
While playing at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wis., Osborne's teams went 83-5-6. While with Santa Clara, the Broncos were 75-15-9.
LOOKING AHEAD: The U.S. certainly has Brazil's number. At the moment, that happens to be 19, the number of times the USA has defeated the South American side since they first met in a 2-1 U.S. victory on July 22, 1986.
They'll meet against in a semifinal match Thursday (ESPN2, 8 a.m. ET).
For such an extremely talented side that has acquitted itself well in several international competitions, the Brazilians certainly have had their problems against the U.S. The USA boasts a 20-1-2 mark against their rivals. Brazil qualified for the semifinals, outlasting a resilient Australia team 3-2 in Tianjin on Sunday.
The last time the countries met was a 2-0 U.S. victory at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 23.
The U.S. dominated the disorganized Brazilians in that game. Brazil, which hadn't had much playing time together since the 2004 Olympics, certainly has gotten its act together since then.
It certainly doesn't hurt that Brazil has Marta in the lineup for this competition (she didn't play in June).
The two countries went head-to-head in the 2004 Olympic gold medal match, with the USA prevailing 2-1, on Abby Wambach's extra-time goal.
"We have matched up very well against Brazil," Ryan said. "They're a very good team, great talent. But I think the matchups (are) very, very good for us. Saying that, in the Olympics, they played awfully well in that final. We were fortunate in that one."
Asked how the Brazilians have improved since the June encounter, Ryan replied, "Marta."
He was referring to 2006 FIFA women's player of the year Marta, who scored on a 23rd-minute penalty kick to give Brazil a 2-0 lead Sunday. Only 21, Marta is tied for the cup scoring lead with Norway's Ragnhild Gulbrandsen with five goals apiece.
"Marta wasn't there in June," he said. "She is one of the most talented players in the world. Her presence on the field will make them a much more dangerous team attacking. Other than that, it's pretty much the same team who play pretty much the same style."
The Brazilians realize they have an uphill battle, but they are optimistic.
"The USA are an outstanding team with plenty of skillful players," Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos was quoted on FIFA.com. "The only difference between our two teams is that we've had one day's less rest than they have, so we have to make sure the players recharge their batteries as quickly as possible."
"The USA are formidable opponents but we'll spare no effort against them," midfielder Daniela said.
FOUR OUT OF FIVE AIN'T BAD: Kristine Lilly's goal Saturday night meant she has scored in four of the five WWCs she has participated in. The only tournament she failed to reach the back of the net was the 2004 competition. Lilly, who has eight WWCs, tied Hamm on the all-time U.S. list. Both players have scored in four tournaments. Hamm collected two goals apiece in the 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003 events.
Michelle Akers, who was surpassed by German striker Birgit Prinz on the all-time list last week, is the all-time American leader with 12 goals. Wambach (10 career international appearances) tied Tiffeny Milbrett for fourth place with seven goals. Wambach, who has four goals in as many games here, could add to the total if she continues her stellar play.
Michael Lewis is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
