U.S. faces challenge in defense-minded China
Baseball: Atlanta at Pittsburgh, FSTN, 6 p.m. Baseball: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis, SportSouth, 7 p.m. Golf: European PGA, BMW International Open, Golf, 8:30 a.m. Golf: LPGA, NW Arkansas Championship, Golf, 10:30 a.m. Golf: U.S. Senior Open, FS1, 2 p.m. Golf: PGA, Travelers Championship, Golf, 2:30 p.m. Hockey: NHL Draft, NBC Sports, 6 p.m. Soccer: Women’s World Cup, Germany vs. France, WHBQ Channel 13, 3 p.m. Soccer: Women’s World Cup, China vs. United States, WHBQ Channel 13, 6:30 p.m. Baseball: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis, WMC-AM 790, 6:20 p.m. Baseball: PCL, Colorado Springs at Redbirds, WHBQ-AM 560, 6:40 p.m..
OTTAWA, Ontario — The last time the United States played China in the Women’s World Cup was in the 1999 final at the Rose Bowl, when the Americans won on penalty kicks for their second title and Brandi Chastain famously ripped off her jersey.
The teams meet again today (6:30 p.m. WHBQ Channel 13), with the winner advancing to a semifinal against Germany or France. The world No.3 French will meet No. 1 Germany at 3 p.m. today (WHBQ Channel 13).
The United States has a 24-game unbeaten streak against China dating to 2003.
After scoring just six goals in their first four games, the Americans will look to Alex Morgan for offense. The 25-year-old star forward was sidelined by a bone bruise in her left knee from April 11 until June 8, made her first start of the tournament in the groupstage finale against Nigeria and scored her first goal in Monday’s 2-0 round-of-16 win over Colombia.
“I feel better and better each game,” Morgan said. “I’m seeing my speed, my change of direction, my shot coming back. It feels good and hopefully in the next games it will feel great.”
The Americans will be missing midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday, suspended because of yellow card accumulation.
Rapinoe has been one of the most creative and dangerous players in Canada, and Holiday has been steady and dependable.
“They’re definitely both incredible players, great for our team. They’re going to be missed, for sure,” fellow midfielder Carli Lloyd said. “But it is what it is. We kind of have to get on with it. We can’t really dwell on the fact we won’t have them out on the field.”
Coach Jill Ellis has said Morgan Brian will likely replace Holiday in the middle of the midfield alongside Lloyd, while it’s widely expected that 26-year-old Christen Press will start in Rapinoe’s left flank spot.
Brian, 22, is the youngest player on the U.S. team.
“Mo has played significant minutes in our games,” Ellis said. “We’ve partnered her specifically with Carli and Lauren at times so she could be confident in that position. She’s a tremendous ball distributor, good on services, so we have other options there for us.”
Ellis could slide Tobin Heath to the left flank and use Press on the right. Press started against Australia in the team’s World Cup opener and scored a goal. Veteran Heather O’Reilly is also available.
The U.S. defeated Australia 3-1 in the tournament opener, with Rapinoe scoring twice. Then came a scoreless draw with fifthranked Sweden before a 1-0 victory over Nigeria to finish atop Group D. The U.S. beat No. 26 Colombia 2-0 to open the knockout stage.