USA will play Sweden on Friday in the Women's World Cup 2015, with the United States team looking to secure a place in the next round with another victory today. However, Sweden will undoubtedly be a sterner test than Australia in their first game, and Team USA will have to ensure they improve with each game. Today's big match has a kick off time of 8 p.m. ET on the Fox network, but can also be watched online through live stream via the link below.
The United States kicked off their World Cup with a 3-1 win over Australia in their opening game, where as Sweden could only manage a 3-3 draw against Nigeria. Both teams will be reflecting on clear areas of weakness that were exposed in those openers, and will be looking to improve significantly for today's game.
Sweden will know they have to get their defence more organised and they cannot afford as many slip-ups as they had against Nigeria, otherwise they will be punished by an even more formidable attack in the United States.
Sweden were 2-0 up at half time against the African team, however, they conceded three second half goals to end up with a disappointing 3-3 draw.
USA meanwhile, will be reasonably satisfied with their three points in the opening game, but at the same time know that they were well below their best against Australia. They will realise that this Sweden team will be an entirely different challenge, and they will have to get their passing tighter, and their movement more dynamic. Too often their passing was disjointed, and they gave away possession far too easily at times.
Big performances from Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn helped them to get over the line, and ultimately he fitness of the United States team saw them home as the Australia team seemed to tire in the last third of the match.
Sweden will feel they have to at least get a draw today if they are to progress from the group stages. A loss today would leave them with just one point from their opening two games, and in that situation even a win against Australia in their final group game could leave them short.
The United States, however, managed to overcome their insufficiencies in Game 1 to secure all three points, and that leaves them with a bit more room for what happens today. A loss of course would put a lot of pressure on them to win against Nigeria in their final game, however, their destiny would still be in their own hands. A draw would not be devastating and would still leave them on course to make the next round. However, there can be no doubt that this United States team will be going for all three points today. They will know that if they are to go all the way this year, they need to be winning games, even against potentially difficult opposition such as Sweden.
Both the United States and Sweden would like to believe they can go all the way and win the World Cup this year, however, so far neither has reached anywhere near their potential. Facing off against one another should bring out the best in both teams though and this game should be one of the highlights of the World Cup to this point.
USA vs Sweden in the Women's World Cup 2015 has a scheduled start time of 8 p.m. ET on Fox, and can be watched online through live stream by clicking here.
