Why Carli Lloyd and Lauren Holiday Are the True X-Factors in the USWNT Squad

There are certain positions in the United States women's national team lineup that we fixate on more than others due to the big names and issues surrounding those specific spots on the pitch.

But the one area that we sometimes neglect because of the consistent play from that specific spot on the field is the center of midfield. 

Carli Lloyd and Lauren Holiday occupy the two central roles for the USWNT, and for the Yanks to have any chance of making a successful deep run at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the pair will have to be in top form. 

Based off what we witnessed in the final friendly before the trip to Canada, the experienced duo of Lloyd and Holiday are ready to take another big tournament by storm and propel the USWNT as far as they can. 

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The pair bring with them to Canada a combined 319 appearances and 86 goals. Lloyd is the better scorer of the two, as she has 63 tallies to her name, but Holiday is also capable of moving forward when called upon. 

Regardless of how USWNT manager Jill Ellis' formation looks on paper, the two almost always line up the same way, with Holiday in more of a defensive role, while Lloyd has a license to roam forward and search for goals. 

That was on display on Saturday against South Korea, as Lloyd took advantage of the USWNT's extended spells of possession and marauded forward to create scoring opportunities. On a few occasions in the first half, Lloyd found plenty of space in the middle of the park, but she was unable to capitalize on any of her chances. 

With Lloyd ready to surge forward at a moment's notice, the Yanks have another attacking option to turn to if the forwards just aren't getting the job done on a specific day. 

The 32-year-old from New Jersey also has a knack for leading the team through difficult situations in pressure-packed matches. Her most memorable achievements in front of goal are her pair of game-winning strikes at the last two Summer Olympics. 

When she is asked to, Lloyd is also capable of dropping back and holding next to Holiday versus tougher opposition. Against teams like Australia, Sweden and Nigeria, Lloyd may start the match with a defensive mindset in order to quell any early threats posed by the other sides in the so-called Group of Death. 

Holiday brings a calming presence to the field in front of the back four, which is something we were used to seeing last year with the men's team, in the form of Kyle Beckerman, Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley.

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The USWNT defense does carry some inexperience into Canada, which means Holiday's ability to break up moves before they reach the last line of defense will be crucial over the next month. 

While she is in the process of breaking up surges from opposing offenses, Holiday can also create potentially deadly counters. With the Yanks facing such high-quality nations in the group stage, breaking loose on a counter may turn into one of the team's top strategic advantages. 

Because of the speed the team possesses on the wing and up top in the form of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux, one solid tackle by Holiday in her own end could catch players too far forward and expose an entire opposing defense. 

Holiday, who is arguably the most important cog in the USWNT machine, is also terrific at holding possession for long spells in the middle of the park. If the Yanks are unable to find a breakthrough early in a match, they will look to at least win the possession battle, with the 27-year-old directing traffic from her defensive-midfield role. 

With the hyped Group of Death now awaiting the Yanks with open arms, the duo of Lloyd and Holiday will be expected to be at their best, like they have in the past, in order for the Yanks to navigate Group D with as much ease as possible. 

If the midfield pair are once again at their best when it matters the most, the USWNT has a solid shot at earning its first Women's World Cup title since 1999. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.