5 Ways The USWNT Can Beat Germany

The USWNT plays Germany tonight. Whether one uses the official FIFA rankings or WSPI, these are the world’s top two teams. They meet in the semifinal, rather than the final, because that’s what FIFA wanted. Germany is the major roadblock the U.S. had to get past. Here are five ways they could do it.

Figuring Out The Forward Line: The U.S. entered the tournament with what appeared to be an unrivaled forward line. That hasn’t materialized. Abby Wambach is operating on fumes. Alex Morgan has not found her stride. Amy Rodriguez looked lively, yet blew some chances with bad finishing. Sydney Leroux has been marginalized in the knockout stages. Christen Press has been played sparingly, out of position. Some of that’s service. Some of that’s not taking the initiative. One U.S. striker needs to step forward and start scoring goals.

Figuring Out The Midfield: Suspensions forced Jill Ellis to make changes in the quarterfinal. The changes worked. Morgan Brian, 22, looked solid in a more defensive role, permitting Carli Lloyd to get forward. But, looking solid against China and looking solid against Germany are different matters. Does Brian replace Lauren Holiday? Or does the U.S. switch to a three-woman central midfield. Similar dilemma to the forwards on the wings. Ellis has cycled in players. None, Megan Rapinoe in the first match excepted, has played well enough to stake a claim.

Impervious Defense: The U.S. has not allowed a goal since the opening match. They have conceded few opportunities. The triumvirate of Hope Solo in goal and Sauerbrunn/Johnston in central defense has been the World Cup’s best. With Germany, that defense meets the tournament’s best offense. Anja Mittag and Celia Sasic are the tournament’s two top scorers, combining for 11 goals. The Germans are dangerous in open play (17 goals – most). They are dangerous on set pieces (3 goals – most). What happens when those two forces collide may determine the match.

Fitness: Germany and the U.S. have been the World Cup’s fittest teams. This has paid off, for both, in second-half goals. The question will be how much hangover teams experience from the quarterfinal. The Germans played a grueling, back and forth, 120-minute affair against France. The U.S. had a relatively tame win over China. A lot of soccer is running and the ability to keep running at full tilt for 90 minutes. Maybe the U.S. will have an advantage as the match drags on.

Carli MF Lloyd: Certain players come through in big spots. That player for this U.S. team is Carli Lloyd. She scored the winner for the U.S. against China. She scored twice against Japan in the 2012 Gold Medal final. “Clutch” drives baseball analysts apoplectic. Clutch, in a sport where most matches are decided by one goal, can win you a World Cup.

[Photo via USAT]