USA Faces Do-Or-Die Soccer Match Tonight, Prediction: USA 2, China 0
By Giles Malone // June 26, 2015
game set for 7:30 p.m. on Fox
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – In tonight’s Women’s World Cup soccer game, the USA is moving along it’s path towards taking a third world cup and is expected to win. But as any true soccer fan knows, nothing is certain when you reach the last 8 of the world’s best soccer teams.
The USA faces China tonight (7:30 pm on Fox), in a do-or-die battle of soccer powers, with the winner advancing to a semi final match against the winner of arch rival Germany versus talent rich France.
Critics of the USA are saying that they lack team scoring power due to their low goals count (six in four games) and that the formation is wrong.
However, this soccer fan believes that tournaments are often won with the most stingy defense and the USA backline, led by goalkeeper Hope Solo, looks like they are on a mission to win the whole thing.
The team defense, swarming around the ball, closing down the opponents has been improving game to game and that is what wins the world cup.
Of course, goals must be scored and the powerful and experienced Abby Wambach has uncharacteristically missed some key headers in this tournament so far. Star forward Alex Morgan, recovering from an injury, has also not been firing on all cylinders. However these two highly determined ladies will come alive and it could be tonight against China.
Star winger, Megan Rapinoe, who has possibly been the best attacking player for the USA in the tournament so far, will not be able to play tonight due to her suspension for too many yellow cards.
Key midfield general, Lauren Holiday is also out due to an accumulation of yellows. But the USA has a deep squad with talent that can deputize for those two missing stars.
Impressive and sharp Christen Press, who could also pass as a cover model, is likely to replace Rapinoe and the USA’s youngest player, Morgan Brian could step in for the suspended Holiday.
High Energy China
China will be buzzing around the pitch tonight, with their always strong team discipline but on paper, they lack the threat to beat the Americans.
However, the game tonight will not be played on paper, and the USA must take some of their scoring chances to secure their spot in the last four.
This soccer fan has opened his fortune cookie and it says “Sorry China, USA wins 2-0.”
