In this case, it's doing a job Americans (probably) can't do. Judging by today's performance (against the Czech Republic), we look like we'd have a difficult time beating the U.S. women's team.
FIFA set up the matches in such a way that the US team can't possibly meet the Iranian team until the semifinals. As it is, the US has its work cut out for it to make it to the second round (the top two teams in each group of four countries advances, and right now Italy and the Czech Republic both have wins in Group E). The first- and second-place teams in Group E will meet the second- and first-place teams in Group F (which consists of Australia, Brazil, Croatia, and Japan).