SUGAR GROVE, Ill. — The Americans have stuck to a pretty tight script at the Solheim Cup this week: They talk about how much fun they're having, how honored they are to represent their country and rave about what great shape the golf course is in.

Not Angela Stanford.

Stanford is sick of hearing what overwhelming favorites the Americans are when the Solheim Cup opens today. Never mind that the U.S. team includes two of the world's four best players, while four of Europe's players are ranked 125th or lower. Or that the United States has yet to lose on home soil, and has won the last two Solheim Cups. Or that the Europeans no longer have Annika Sorenstam, the best player in Solheim Cup history.

"We need to go out and play like we're the underdogs because I think that they're going to be ready to play and they're going to be ready to fight," said Stanford, who has been in the top 10 in half her starts this year, including winning her fourth career title at the SBS Open.

"It's one thing to think, yeah, we have a lot of talent and we're stacked," she added. "But you can't go in thinking that the ball is just going to go in the hole. I mean, it's still golf, it's still match play, and they still have two major champions on their team and a boatload of experience."

A week ago, Stanford's comments probably would have drawn an eye roll or two. Every team, no matter how dominant it is, trots out the same kind of line so as not to disrespect opponents and rile them up.

But that was before the stunning finish at the PGA Championship.

Tiger Woods had won the two weeks leading up to the PGA, was atop the leaderboard at Hazeltine National all week and was 14-for-14 when he began the final round of a major with a lead. Yet it was little-known Y.E. Yang who walked off with the Wanamaker Trophy, not Woods.

"Everyone knows we have not won on American soil," Europe captain Alison Nicholas said. "There has to be a first time on some stage in some place. My word is, 'possible.' "

Nicholas and U.S. captain Beth Daniel released their pairings last night for the first opening-day matches, and there are two matches everyone will be keeping an eye on.

Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer, the third- and fourth-ranked players in the world, face Suzann Pettersen and Sophie Gustafson in the opening fourball match. In the final match, young guns Morgan Pressel and Hawai'i's Michelle Wie team up against Women's British Open winner Catriona Matthew and Maria Hjorth.

In the other two matches, Helen Alfredsson and Tania Elosegui play Stanford and Juli Inkster; and Laura Davies and Becky Brewerton play Brittany Lang and Brittany Lincicome.

The first two days consist of 16 team matches and the tournament closes with 12 singles matches. As defending champions, the Americans need 14 of the 28 points to retain the cup. Europe needs 14 1/2.