First place finish in Group B and qualified to knockout stage, USA Women’s Olympic soccer team prepares for Japan

The goal for the U.S. Women’s Olympic team is to play well enough to advance to a medal round game.  In order for that to happen, the team had to win a group that had Germany and Australia in it.  USA had taken care of business accumulating 6 points in their first two matches in Group B defeating Zambia and Germany. 

In order for USA to win the group, USA needed to beat Australia, and at least accumulate a point in case of a draw.  Wednesday’s game in Marseille saw a USA team that released an all-out attack that totaled 20 shots on goal, with 9 shots on target.  The ball possession was evident for the USA with the Americans having the ball 67% of the game.  The score may be misleading with the USA beating Australia 2 to 1, but it took until injury time for Australia to score in the 91st minute. 

With a 2 to 1 win, USA now will face Japan in the knockout stage on Saturday.  Japan advanced from Group C with Spain.  Japan dropped their first match against highly favored Spain, but bounced back to defeat Brazil and Nigeria to advance with 6 points.  Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert netted two goals for the U.S. Women’s Olympic soccer team, and will need as many scoring chances as possible on Saturday against Japan.  

--