USA vs Colombia Women's Olympic Soccer: Americans Must Keep Winning Ways Going

The United States Women's National Team must win Saturday's match against Colombia.

A draw would still probably be enough to advance, but Team USA doesn't want to rest their fate on the outcome of their third game. Too many things can happen, and there's no reason to test their luck.

Instead, the USWNT should just beat Colombia. The United States is the No. 1 team in the world, and Colombia is a very distant 28th. Simply put, the two teams aren't even in the same league.

If Team USA loses this match, their psyche could be shot. Losing to such a big underdog is tough to come back from, and a very tough North Korean team waits in the final group match. The Americans need to be at their best to face the eight-ranked Koreans, and losing beforehand would prevent them from being 100 percent.

On the flip side, beating Colombia would be great for the United States.

They would be guaranteed a spot in the knockout round, and the last game would only decide their placement. Coach Sundhage Pia could choose to rest some players, assuring that the entire team would be healthy for the knockout matches. If she elected to play the normal starting XI in the (relatively) meaningless game, Pia would be able to work out some kinks in the team's tactics.

Essentially, she could tinker with the lineup as much as she would like.

Additionally, a second straight victory would be great for the United States' momentum. After a disappointing World Cup and start of the Olympics, the women are angry. They want to prove they are the best team in the world, and they don't want to take any steps backward.

Another win would just keep that momentum going. After the first 15 minutes against France, Team USA used the rest of the match to remind everyone why they're the No. 1 team in the world. If they do that for the full 90 minutes against Colombia, the rest of the countries should be worried.

Obviously, everyone is aware of the Americans' talent. However, if their team is in form, then that awareness should become fear. When the United States is clicking, the team is incredibly tough to beat. Beating Colombia would be a great way to keep the team firing on all cylinders.

The USWNT needs to win their next match. If they lose, all kinds of things could go wrong. After a hard-luck loss in the World Cup Final, they don't want to relive that. Conversely, a win could do great things for their psyche, as well as intimidate their opponents.

Therefore, Team USA needs to beat Colombia.