Team USA vs New Zealand: Rating the USWNT Players in Olympic Quarterfinal

The USWNT is in the semifinals after beating New Zealand 2-0. It wasn't the brightest game for the Stars and Stripes, but it was enough to leave the Football Ferns out of the Olympic tournament.

Pia Sundhage and her girls will face Canada in the semifinal, a team they know well and that they defeated in a preparation match a month before the Olympics.

The USWNT will play its fifth Olympic semifinal in hopes of reaching the final game to successfully defend their gold medal.

Let's rate the performance of all the starters and subs of the USA.

Goalkeeper

Hope Solo had a steady day at St. James Park. The 31-year-old didn't appear much and when she did there was no danger.

She continues to be the safest option for the USWNT.

Rating: 8/10

Defenders

There was a significant improvement in this line. During the group stage games, the defense seemed kind of lost and not so well-organized.

However, Christie Rapinoe managed to keep her teammates in shape and focused, which shows that she's a great leader and footballer, despite being 37—the oldest in the squad.

Rachael Buehler made no mistakes, she had good ball control and sent accurate long passes to put the New Zealand defense in distress as she gave good attacking opportunities to Morgan and Wambach.

Amy LePeilbet and Kelley O'Hara also gave their best in the match. They helped Rapinoe and Cheney by supplying balls so they could create plays.

LePeilbet: 8/10

Buehler: 8/10

Rampone: 9/10

O'Hara: 8/10

Midfielders

It was an unusual day for the midfielders, especially for Megan Rapinoe. This explosive player was far from her usual standard and couldn't make a difference on the pitch.

Carli Lloyd proved her authority, yet again. Her constant fighting and precise through balls set her as a cornerstone of the squad. She was cautioned at the 79th.

If there’s someone that knows how to deal with pressure and keep the midfield tight, that’s Lauren Cheney. The USA playmaker had a superb display of talent. Cheney is one of those few footballers that thinks outside the box, which makes her an invaluable asset.

Tobin Heath took Heather O’Reilly’s spot in the starting lineup. The New York Fury midfielder didn't appear much, but sent some good low crosses and assisted Sydney Leroux, who scored the second goal.

Rapinoe: 6/10

Lloyd: 8/10

Cheney: 9/10

Heath: 8/10

Strikers

Alex Morgan had three clear opportunities to score, however, she couldn't make it. The first one, after two minutes of play, she sent the ball away from the edge of the area.

Then she took advantage of a defensive mistake, but couldn't push the ball. Finally, she missed a low cross from Rapinoe that appeared to be a no-brainer.

But make no mistake, despite her lack of goal, Morgan assisted Wambach for the USA opener and made some interesting runs.

Abby Wambach scored at the 27th. She took advantage of this opportunity and didn't have many more. We hardly saw her in the rest of the match.

Wambach: 8/10

Morgan: 7/10

Subs

Amy Rodriguez came in for Lauren Cheney at the 90+1; she didn't make a difference at all.

Heather O’Reilly took Megan Rapinoe’s spot. It was a good move for Pia Sundhage as Rapinoe wasn't playing at her best and O’Reilly gave the team speed and depth.

Sydney Leroux substituted Alex Morgan at the 80th. She secured the USWNT's ticket to the semifinals seven minutes after she came in. Leroux scored her first Olympic goal after a run from the left, leaving the defender hanging and putting the ball between the keeper’s legs.

O'Reilly: 7/10

Leroux: 9/10