Women's soccer quarterfinal preview.
The U.S. women entered the Olympics as favorites to top the podium and their play in the group stage did little to change that. Despite a hiccup in its 2-2 draw with Colombia, the U.S. has looked the part as the top ranked team in the world, especially in its win over France when the team rebounded from a poor first half. Captain Carli Lloyd leads the team in scoring with two goals, while Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Mallory Pugh have each chipped in with one.
Every player on the U.S. roster has played at the Olympics expect for backup goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, which is important for the team since it came into the tournament with 11 players making their Olympic debut.
Two questions for the U.S. going into the knockout stage are the health of center back Julie Johnston and the play of Hope Solo.
Johnston missed the U.S.’s second group stage match against France due to a groin strain and sat out the team’s third match as well. Her health is essential for the U.S. backline that has played so well since she was inserted into the starting lineup over a year ago.
Hope Solo, widely recognized as the best goalkeeper in the world, had one of her worst games in recent memory against Colombia. On Colombia’s first goal she made an uncharacteristic mistake as she mishandled a free kick that went right through her legs.
Colombia’s second goal was beautifully placed in the top corner, but was taken from a sharp angle and could have been dealt with better by Solo.
Solo has been in the news since arriving in Brazil as she has been booed by fans whenever she touches the ball. While she has said the jeers do not bother her, Solo is in need of a bounce-back game against Sweden to right the ship.
Although Sweden is the sixth ranked team in the world, the team struggled in the group stage and only advanced as the third place finisher in Group E.
Sweden’s offense has not found a rhythm in Brazil as the team only has two goals through three matches.
Sweden is led by former U.S. women’s coach Pia Sundhage. Sundhage coached the U.S. at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, winning two gold medals. The last time these two teams met, at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Sundhage had some critical comments about her time coaching Lloyd and Solo.
This is likely to be a hotly-contested match between familiar foes with a spot in the semifinals at stake.
The U.S. women entered the Olympics as favorites to top the podium and their play in the group stage did little to change that. Despite a hiccup in its 2-2 draw with Colombia, the U.S. has looked the part as the top ranked team in the world, especially in its win over France when the team rebounded from a poor first half. Captain Carli Lloyd leads the team in scoring with two goals, while Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Mallory Pugh have each chipped in with one.
Every player on the U.S. roster has played at the Olympics expect for backup goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, which is important for the team since it came into the tournament with 11 players making their Olympic debut.
Two questions for the U.S. going into the knockout stage are the health of center back Julie Johnston and the play of Hope Solo.
Johnston missed the U.S.’s second group stage match against France due to a groin strain and sat out the team’s third match as well. Her health is essential for the U.S. backline that has played so well since she was inserted into the starting lineup over a year ago.
Hope Solo, widely recognized as the best goalkeeper in the world, had one of her worst games in recent memory against Colombia. On Colombia’s first goal she made an uncharacteristic mistake as she mishandled a free kick that went right through her legs.
Colombia’s second goal was beautifully placed in the top corner, but was taken from a sharp angle and could have been dealt with better by Solo.
Solo has been in the news since arriving in Brazil as she has been booed by fans whenever she touches the ball. While she has said the jeers do not bother her, Solo is in need of a bounce-back game against Sweden to right the ship.
Although Sweden is the sixth ranked team in the world, the team struggled in the group stage and only advanced as the third place finisher in Group E.
Sweden’s offense has not found a rhythm in Brazil as the team only has two goals through three matches.
Sweden is led by former U.S. women’s coach Pia Sundhage. Sundhage coached the U.S. at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, winning two gold medals. The last time these two teams met, at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Sundhage had some critical comments about her time coaching Lloyd and Solo.
This is likely to be a hotly-contested match between familiar foes with a spot in the semifinals at stake.
