Washington ? Briana Scurry knows all about a defining moment. Every athlete seeks one, and she’s had one of the grandest.

Four years after her penalty-kick save against China was the difference in winning the World Cup, Scurry is back on the firing line. It’s been anything but an easy journey from 1999 to today’s U.S. team opener against Sweden.

By far the best American goalkeeper ever, Scurry fell in disfavor when she lost her discipline, got out of shape and began looking like a 29-year-old has-been. For most of the period after the World Cup triumph until late last year, Scurry had become an afterthought on the U.S. soccer scene.

“My demise was losing track of what was important in that seven or eight months after the World Cup,” Scurry said. “I was making appearances and not keeping tabs on my training and my diet. I lost my focus, which is one of the worst things an athlete can do.”

And maybe after her stellar play in ’99, including the big save against Liu Ying, Scurry had become too comfortable. After all, there hadn’t been any real challengers for her job for years, and still her resume was outstanding.

“I would not give up that moment for anything in the world,” she said. “I am thankful at every opportunity for making that save. It’s something everybody dreams of, like hitting the World Series-winning home run with two outs in the last inning.

“To fall from that high to the low I was at, I now have such a great appreciation for everything that has happened to me: the friendships, the experience with this team, the opportunity to play and know these people.”

Japan 6, Argentina 0

Columbus, Ohio — Mio Otani scored three goals over a span of 11 minutes and Homare Sawa added two goals and an assist as Japan routed Argentina. Emi Yamamoto added a goal and an assist as the Japanese moved to the top of Group C ahead of Germany. Otani became the first player of the tournament to get a hat trick with a goal in the 81st minute off a diving header from 10 yards out on a cross by Sawa.

Germany 4, Canada 1

Columbus, Ohio — Maren Meinert assisted on two second-half goals, including the go-ahead score by Stefanie Gottschlich in Germany’s victory over Canada. Meinert sent a cross that bounced once inside the penalty box and Gottschlich bent low to head a soft shot from 8 yards out over goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc for a 2-1 lead in the 46th minute.

North Korea 3, Nigeria 0

Philadelphia — North Korea overcame poor shooting to beat Nigeria. The North Koreans moved to the top of Group A, pending today’s United States-Sweden game.

Norway 2, France 0

Philadelphia — Norway shook loose of stubborn France in the second half on goals by Anita Rapp and Dagny Mellgren.