The U.S. still controls its own fate in Group D after its scoreless draw with Sweden on Friday.
By Ivan Yeo
Friday’s match between the United States and Sweden in Winnipeg produced mixed results for the USWNT.
The good news for the U.S. is that it got a standout performance from its backline, particularly from Center Back Julie Johnston, and that performance was crucial in neutralizing the Swedish attack on Friday evening.
The bad news for the U.S. is that its midfield and forward were unable to compliment the effort put forth by the defense. Yet when was all set and done, the United States still controls its destiny in Group D after its 0-0 draw with Sweden at Winnipeg on Saturday.
The result leaves the U.S. atop the group with four points, though Australia closed the gap significantly after its 2-0 win over Nigeria. The Matildas are a point back of the U.S. for the top spot, Sweden has two points and Nigeria remains at one point. Nevertheless, a U.S. win against Nigeria on Tuesday wins them the group.
The 5 ft 2 Klingenberg saved the match for the U.S. in the 77th minute. A corner kick was sent into the box, the corner deflected off several before it fell to Caroline Seger. Seger fired a volley with her right foot for the far post, but Klingenberg jumped and headed the ball off the crossbar and back into play. Goal technology confirmed that the ball did not cross the goal line entirely.
After a rather uneventful first half, the U.S. started to create chances in the second half. Megan Rapinoe took on Elin Rubensson in the 64th minute, Rapinoe juked out Rubensson and crossed with her right foot into the six-yard box, Carli Lloyd raced in for a header but Jessica Samuelsson beat her to the ball and cleared over the endline and even better for Sweden, they were given the goal kick despite replay showing Samuelsson sending the ball over the endline.
Rapinoe created another opportunity for the U.S. in the 71st minute, as she crossed with her left foot into the penalty area and Abby Wambach, who actually started the match on the bench, but entered in the 67th minute, headed a ball that took a bounce but keeper Hedvig Lindahl didn’t flinch on the tricky bounce and parried the ball over the framework.
Sweden thought it should’ve gone to the penalty spot in the first half when Lina Nilsson sent a corner kick into the USA penalty area and Seger one-timed a shot on target. The ball however hit off Sydney Leroux’s elbow, but play continued despite Sweden’s plea for the handball.
Tuesday’s match against Nigeria will be played at Vancouver’s BC Place stadium. Sweden meanwhile prepares for another heavyweight bout, this one with Australia in Edmonton.
