USA vs. Korea Women's Olympic Soccer: 6 Key Battles to Watch

The United States Women's National Team has already earned enough points to advance, but getting a point against North Korea is still very important.

A draw or win will clinch the group for the Americans and allow them to avoid the winner of Group F, likely Japan.

North Korea started the Olympics off on the right foot with a 2-0 victory over Colombia. However, the wheels fell off against France.

North Korea played well for the first 45 minutes. Only relenting once right before half. The second half was a different story, as France put in four goals to win the match 5-0.

Head coach Pia Sundhage was in attendance scouting the Koreans. There was plenty to take away from it. Here are six matchups to watch.

Alex Morgan vs. Korea's Backline

No secret here. Keep an eye on Alex Morgan.

Myong Gum Kim will head up the Korean defense. The 21-year-old donned the captain's armband for the match against France.

Morgan seemed a bit off against Colombia, but it is not like her to remain silent for very long. Korea will have to hope that is not the case if they want to hold off the American attack. A point for them will clinch a birth to the quarterfinals.

Morgan is fast, creative and knows how to score. She is hard to stop for some of the best defenses in the world and she will be one of the major factors in the match's outcome.

The Korean defense will need to tighten up and give their keeper, Yun Mi Jo, the best chance to stop the onslaught of shots coming her way. The very young North Korean team needs to play above their ages against the US.

USWNT Defense vs. Korean Forwards

The US defense has already become one of the topics at the Games.

They allowed themselves to be too stretched out against France, but performed much better against the Colombians. They will need to continue the improvement against a crafty Korean attack.

Kim Song-Hui has scored the lone two goals for the Koreans. The 25-year-old is one of the oldest on the team. She will be the player to watch for the US defense.

While Korea does sport a young team, they are skilled. The US defense cannot sleep on their chances to score.

Sundhage rested Amy LePeilbet against the Colombians. Expect to see the two-time WPS Defender of the Year back in the lineup against North Korea.

Hope Solo vs. Herself

Solo is the world's best keeper. And she is usually able to keep her off-the-pitch troubles from effecting her play. However, after the latest controversy it will be interesting to see how she plays against North Korea.

After the match against Colombia Solo took to Twitter to voice her displeasure with how former USWNT member Brandi Chastain called the match. She was not a fan of her criticism to say the least.

Solo also entered the Olympics after failing a drug test, testing positive for Canrenone. Solo attributed this positive to her pre-menstrual medication.

At some point the distractions off the field do find their way on to the pitch. We will have to see if Solo is able to continue her extreme focus and provide the US with its best shot at a clean sheet.

Solo already has a lot of pressure on her shoulders. Now, she invites even more following her comments.

USWNT Midfield vs. Korean Midfield

Possession. Possession is the key to this match.

What gave the US troubles against Japan was possession. Korea is similar in that they like to move the ball around with short passes and control the pace of the match.

The US midfield generally receives their praise for assisting in the offensive output. Maintaining ball control may be more important than that for this match.

This will surely be a heightened emphasis for the Koreans after their defeat to France. They allowed the offensive juggernaut to possess the ball for far to long and put the ball on frame. If they allow the US the same opportunities they will see similar results.

The Americans will be the bigger, stronger side. They need to use that advantage to keep the ball and keep Korea from being a threat.

Abby Wambach vs. Korean Defense

Even more specifically, on set pieces.

Wambach's main weapon is her head. This is not news to anyone. And set pieces offer her an opportunity to use it most of all.

Generally, Wambach is one of the tallest on the pitch. And against Korea this will certainly be the case again.

Her size advantage should come in to play when the US earns their set pieces and due to that fact she will become a bigger target for the US.

Wambach can bully her way to scoring multiple goals against Korea. She knows how to use her size and the young Koreans will need to do their best to constantly mark Wambach.

USWNT Speed vs. Korea

Pace.

If the US is able to maintain a high pace the Koreans are in a lot of trouble.

They were still in the match against France until substitutions kept a fast pace going. The 62 minute substitution of Élodie Thomis proved to be the move of the match. She entered and became a force with her fresh legs.

The US has the ability to do this to North Korea as well. Speedsters Amy Rodriguez, Sydney Leroux and others line the bench ready to take over at a moment's notice.

If any of them get the call in the second half they should be able to repeat the results of the French. Attacking a tired and over-matched Korean side.

The overall team speed of USA should be the biggest factor against Korea.