A total of five goals in three group games wasn’t the most impressive return from the U.S. women’s national team, but keep in mind that they likely got out of second gear only once – during their 1-0 win against France. They certainly took the foot off the gas a fair bit in their last group game against Colombia, when they were essentially secured of qualification.
When they’re fully focused and motivated, as they likely will be against rivals Sweden, they have more than enough firepower to grab the win.
Young stars Crystal Dunn and Mallory Pugh got their first goals of the tournament in that 2-2 draw with Colombia, which should give them confidence if/when they’re called upon against Sweden. Meanwhile, superstars Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan should be relatively fresh after playing just a half each.
On the other side, the Swedes have been struggling in Brazil. The Swedish offense scored just two goals in three group games, and only advanced as a third place finisher.
The Swedes, though, aren’t the No. 6-ranked team in the world for nothing. They still have some very talented offensive weapons like Lotta Schelin (84 goals in 165 caps) and Kosovare Asllani (25 goals in 83 caps) who can capitalize on any errors the U.S. might make.
There’s no sugar-coating it: Hope Solo had a stinker against Colombia. The U.S. goalie committed two very uncharacteristic errors which were responsible for Colombia’s two goals. Don’t expect a repeat performance against Sweden, though. Solo is much more dependable than what she showed against Colombia, and should be back to her usual world-class self against Sweden.
Julie Johnston is a bit of a doubt to partner Becky Sauerbrunn in the middle of the U.S. defense after missing the last two games with a groin injury. But with Sweden’s attack not firing on all cylinders, Johnston’s potential absence might not be too big a blow for the Americans.
With or without Johnston, the USWNT should still hold the edge defensively against Sweden, whose backline also hasn’t been too impressive. The Swedes were swept away 5-1 by host nation Brazil in the group stage. But the Swedes will have an ace up their sleeve in coach Pia Sundhage, who coached the U.S. to gold in the previous two Olympics. She managed to hold the Americans to a goalless draw in their last meeting during last year’s World Cup.
Writer’s Prediction: The USWNT (-310) gets its act together and beats Sweden, 1-0.
