USWNT: Why Team USA Needs to Play Conservatively Against North Korea

After two games of play in Group G of the 2012 Olympics, the United States Women's National Team needs to play smart against North Korea in the final game of group play.

The team is undefeated so far, and they have managed to net seven goals in two games. The Americans have the most explosive offense in the tournament, but they need to play conservatively against North Korea.

Team USA has already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals, so this game is not crucial to win. With a victory or a tie, the team would win the group.

In the team's opening game, the Americans rallied from an early two-goal deficit to beat France 4-2. The USWNT then beat Colombia 3-0, and France beat North Korea 5-0. France's dominant win over North Korea gives the Americans confidence to breeze through the final game.

Not only is the team is extremely talented at the forward position, but the USWNT is also deep at the position.

The Americans need to get an early goal and coast the rest of the way.

Starters

Forwards Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan have led the team's explosive offense. Each player has scored twice in the tournament, and they change games quickly with the ability to get open. 

They can score early and often, so an early goal on Tuesday would allow the team to play conservatively.

Why should they let up?

The 32-year-old Wambach has been a starter for years now, and her body could use a rest. She played the entire game against France, but she was removed in the 78th minute against Colombia.

Wambach was involved in a violent incident last game, and the opposing player has now been suspended, according to USA Today's Robert Klemko. She was punched in the face by a Colombian player near the end of the first half, but no card was issued.

Wambach got the last laugh as she scored a goal in the second half.

Morgan was inserted into the starting lineup earlier this year, so she has fresh legs. However, she too has played the majority of the tournament. She was taken out of the first game in the 76th minute but played the entire second game.

In the final tuneup match before the Olympics against Canada last month, the USWNT got a scare when Morgan went down with a leg injury in the second half. The injury did not turn out to be serious, but the team should see it as a learning experience.

Injuries can happen unexpectedly, so the team needs to be cautious with their star forwards. The Americans will also need fresh legs as they advance in the tournament, so rest in a meaningless game would benefit the team later on.

The Colombia game should keep the Americans from putting their players at risk. Opposing teams can take shots at players without being penalized during the game.

Reserves

The team is loaded with talent at forward, and depth allows the team to give starters a break.

Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux would start on every other team, but they find themselves on the bench right now.

Earlier this year, both players tied a team record by scoring five goals in a game. They did it in consecutive games during Olympic qualifying. In both games, the forwards entered the game at the start of the second half.

Rodriguez is a former starter for the Americans, but she has been replaced by the youngster Morgan.

Leroux was beginning to see more playing time before the Olympics because of the team's success. She has proven to be a scorer, and she can take over a game when the starting forwards exit the game.

Both players have played in both games, but neither has entered the game before the 76th minute.

It is important to get these young players experience and play extended minutes against North Korea. There is no pressure on the team, but these reserves have the ability to score and lead the team to victory.

After group play, the Americans could find themselves in close games. If they do, the experience gained from playing against North Korea would allow the reserves to make an impact in the meaningful games.

Rodriguez and Leroux have not been able to get in a rhythm with their teammates in any game during the Olympics, so they have the perfect opportunity to do it in the final game of group play.

Playing Rodriguez and Leroux would be a conservative approach for the Americans, but they are also capable of finding the back of the net.