USA vs. Colombia: United States Will Ride First Game Momentum to Victory

The United States Women's Soccer Team saw themselves tested early on in this tournament, specifically the first 14 minutes of their opening bout against France. Team USA learned quickly from their mistakes, however, and will apply what they learned to defeat Colombia.

USA coach Pia Sundhage saw her team fall down 2-0 early on against the French, but they were able to rally back on the shoulders of superstars Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan before dominating in the second half of play.

Sundhage won't let that epic performance go to her team's head, but she will be sure to get that explosiveness from her players right out of the gate this time around. Though the coach realizes that Colombia will be coming out with passion. She told Kevin Baxter of the Chicago Tribune:

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Colombia is playing their second big event, it's very different from France.

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While that passion will be needed for the Colombians, it's hard to see them finding a way to win this bout when looking at the difference in talent between the two sides.

Colombia's team is made up largely by players in their early 20s and even has two at the age of 17. While some would argue youth is a good thing, that can only get you so far when you're playing against the most recent FIFA World Cup runner-up. 

The team, anchored by Hope Solo in goal and Wambach up front, is ranked No. 1 in the world according to FIFA for a reason, and these players are dying to get their hands on a gold medal after falling just short in the World Cup.

There's certainly some nice young talent that Team USA will have to control, like Indiana University's Orianica Velasquez Herrera, but ultimately Colombia will not be able to hold off Sundhage's deadly attackers.

If the FIFA ranked sixth best team in the world can't defeat the United States after going up 2-0 in the opening 14 minutes, then there's no way 28th ranked Colombia can.