USA vs. China: Last-Minute Preview and Prediction for Quarterfinal Clash

The commercials leading up to the Women’s World Cup were dominated by the likes of Abby Wambach and other players looking determined to claim what was theirs again, all but calling their shot. The U.S. was a heavy favorite entering the World Cup, but heading into Friday’s quarterfinal matchup with China, the side's outlook is just kind of, "meh."

Luckily for the Americans, so is China's. Per the Wall Street Journal’s China Real Time blog, China’s all-time leading World Cup scorer Sun Wen said the Chinese team is too stiff and reserved and that it doesn’t enjoy the pressure of high-profile games.  

China has coasted to victories against the Netherlands and Cameroon, 1-0 each, but a 2-2 draw against New Zealand and a 1-0 loss to host Canada showed the Steel Roses’ weakness at attack. China’s offensive weakness is shared by its U.S. counterpart, but the Americans have faced stiffer competition thus far.

China has faced just one top-10 FIFA opponent this World Cup in eighth-ranked Canada. Comparatively, the USA has faced two top-10 opponents, but they beat 10th-ranked Australia 3-1 and drew 0-0 to fifth-ranked Sweden.

Much has been made of the U.S. attack not living up to expectations, and with midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday suspended for accumulating too many yellow cards, the offense could get weaker.

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According to sports journalist Grant Wahl, the USA is expected to replace Holiday with Morgan Brian, the youngest member of the team. Brian wasn’t even born when America earned its first star above the crest in 1991, but Brian’s age and World Cup inexperience don’t define her.

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Ellis says Morgan Brian likely to replace suspended Lauren Holiday vs #CHN.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 23, 2015"

Randy Waldrum, the head coach of Brian’s NWSL team, the Houston Dash, talked about his player to ESPNW.com:

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“She is so technical and she's so comfortable playing with pressure around her. At her age, she's not rattled. I joke with her about being able to play out of a phone booth. The tightness of pressure around her isn't a problem. And the one thing I think that she really does that people don't appreciate, is she sees the game one or two passes ahead. Her soccer IQ is off the charts."

"

America’s other midfield replacement is expected to be Christen Press, who came in for Rapinoe after she was tagged with the yellow card against Colombia. Press is more known for her ability as a striker than her ability to create, which is Rapinoe’s strength.

Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Rapinoe doesn’t think the U.S. will lose much in the switch to Press.

“It’s kind of a straight swap,” Rapinoe told Wahl in a pirce for Sports Illustrated. “She did well (after coming on against Colombia) and can be so dangerous. She’s quick, she’s very smart, really good around the box. I think she’ll probably step into that role.”

One thing is certain headed into the rematch of the 1999 World Cup final with China: The Americans are confident.

Wahl asked Rapinoe how the U.S. would be at attack against China following her and Holiday’s suspension.

“They’re gonna struggle,” Rapinoe joked. “No, I think we’ll be fine. When you can look down our bench and bring all those players off our bench, I think we’re pretty lucky.”

Todd Korol/Getty Images

Prediction: USA 3-1 China 

With America’s inability to create, particularly from the midfield, the complete midfield switch could actually provide a spark. It will likely be difficult for the U.S. to replace Rapinoe’s creativity, but offensively it can’t get much more stale than it already is.

America will finally live up to the hype and find lightning in a bottle with the younger midfielders. The U.S. will be able to open up a bit on the weaker Chinese team, despite China playing defensively.

All rankings and stats courtesy of FIFA.com.

Follow Aaron Brand on Twitter @AaronBrand47