USA vs. New Zealand: 6 Keys for Team USA in Women's Olympic Quarterfinal

Michael Cummings@MikeCummings37X.com LogoWorld Football Lead WriterAugust 2, 2012

USA vs. New Zealand: 6 Keys for Team USA in Women's Olympic Quarterfinal

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    The United States women's national team won all three matches in the group stage of the Olympic tournament.

    Pia Sundhage's team now turns to the quarterfinals, where New Zealand awaits.

    Entering the match, the US will be expected to advance. In fact, the Americans are probably the favorites to win gold again.

    With that in mind, here are six keys for the Americans against New Zealand.

Start Well

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    The United States fell two goals behind France in the team's group opener. The match turned out fine—the US scored four unanswered goals and won 4-2—but they can't count on another comeback saving them.

    Starting well is always important, but after the France match, it takes on extra importance for the US. More so than scoring early, the Americans must not concede too quickly or too easily.

    Doing so would allow New Zealand to sit back and defend, and that's something the Kiwis did well in the group stage.

    Brazil and Great Britain scored only once each against New Zealand.

Get Rapinoe Involved

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    Megan Rapinoe emerged as a dependable player for the US midfield last summer at the World Cup. This summer has seen Rapinoe progress to the point where she's a vital member of the attack.

    Rapinoe provides consistently accurate crosses from the left wing, and she's been involved in multiple goals so far.

    When Rapinoe plays well on the wing, the US plays well overall. Get Rapinoe involved and the Americans will thrive.

Maintain Possession

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    Megan Rapinoe is hardly the only star in the American midfield.

    Playmaker Lauren Cheney continues to pull the strings from her slot just behind the strikers, while Carli Lloyd has been a revelation in the central role after starting the tournament as a sub.

    One area is which the US has shown vulnerability is defense, but that's been less apparent when the midfield maintains possession for long stretches.

    The US must hold the ball as much as possible to eliminate the chance for defensive mistakes.

Let Wambach and Morgan Do Their Thing

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    Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan form the best, most lethal strike partnership in the women's tournament.

    Wambach towers over opponents, wins 50-50 balls and scores with her head and feet. Morgan beats defenders with speed and craftiness.

    Together, they're almost impossible to stop over a full 90 minutes.

    US coach Pia Sundhage will have only one instruction for Wambach and Morgan on Friday.

    Do what you do best.

Kill off the Match

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    On American TV, commentator Brandi Chastain has railed against the United States' inability to kill off matches.

    Chastain is right. The Americans have so far refused to milk the clock after taking the lead, instead opting for all-out attacks for the full 90 minutes.

    Instead of taking short corners in stoppage time, the US has bombed the ball forward. Instead of passing the ball around midfield or taking it to the corner, they've tried for killer passes even after the game is in hand.

    That's opened the US midfield and defense up to quick counters, and at times, they've looked fragile against fast-moving opponents.

    If the US has the lead late against New Zealand, they need to work the clock as much as possible.

Don't Beat Yourself

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    Let's be honest, the United States should win this game.

    In fact, as two-time defending gold medalists, the Americans are probably the favorites to win gold yet again.

    With that in mind, the internal battle is an important one for Pia Sundhage's team. At this point in the tournament, the only team that can beat the US is the US.

    But if they avoid overconfidence, start well and play to their potential, the Americans should be fine.

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