USWNT will play Sweden in Rio 2016 quarterfinals: Three things to know
The U.S. women’s national team is looking for its fourth straight Olympic gold in 2016, and its next task is the quarterfinals, where we now know who the favorites will play. After winning Group G on Tuesday with a error-filled, disappointing 2-2 draw against Colombia, the U.S. now faces Sweden for a spot in the semifinals. Here’s what to know.
1. Sweden hasn’t been solid in this tournament, and U.S. fans shouldn’t be too concerned.
In the competition so far, the Swedes have beaten South Africa 1-0, lost to Brazil 5-1 and drew China 0-0. Two goals in three games is nothing to write home about. The squad has lacked creativity, the finishing has been off and this team shouldn’t scare the United States much at all. Australia, one candidate to play the U.S. in the quarters, would have been a tougher matchup.
With that said, the U.S. hasn’t been sharp either, but don’t take too much out of the Colombia draw. Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan both played just a half, there was little pressure, and Hope Solo wasn’t on her game. When Lloyd and Morgan play 90 minutes, there is pressure and Solo is on, this team is close to unbeatable.
2. It’s an earlier start time than you probably think.
The U.S. will play Sweden this Friday, with kickoff set for 12 p.m. ET in Brasilia. The winner will advance to play host Brazil or Australia in a tough semifinal showdown next week. You can watch the U.S. play Sweden on NBCSN.
3. The Sweden coach knows how the U.S. does things.
Sweden’s coach is 56-year-old Pia Sundhage. Does that name ring a bell? She was the U.S. women’s coach from 2008-12, winning gold medals in ’08 and ’12.
She knows what it takes and knows just how tough it is to play against a team like the United States. She’ll have her team motivated, have them believing they are just as talented and just as capable. Whether that works, we’ll see. But it’s a well-known coach against her former team, and the pressure is on both to deliver after less than impressive showings so far.