How the USWNT Attack Can Exploit Sweden's Defensive Weaknesses

When play opened in Group D at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup on Monday, two key position groups displayed plenty of weaknesses. 

On Friday in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the forwards of the United States women's national team and Sweden's defense will line up against each other in an attempt to redeem themselves in what is expected to be a heated affair. 

Despite coming away from its World Cup opener with a victory, the USWNT left the pitch wanting more out of the forward position. 

Abby Wambach started the match next to Sydney Leroux, but neither saw much of the ball for long spells of time. Wambach had the better chances in front of goal, but she uncharacteristically put two headers off target. 

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Outside of her assist on the second United States goal, Leroux failed to make a major impact due to the style of play the USWNT used in its 3-1 victory over Australia in Winnipeg. Because of the lack of possession control in midfield, the Yanks were unable to spread the ball around the field and use Leroux's speed to their advantage. 

"I don't think we played that well today. I think that we can be a lot better in possession and a lot more confident on the ball. We're better than we played today. We got caught going long when we need to settle it down. I think the times we did settle it down, we had good spells of possession. You could see how we can knock it around and be dangerous, but we need to do a lot more of that," midfielder Megan Rapinoe told reporters after the match, per FIFA TV on YouTube. 

By the time Alex Morgan entered late in the second half, the Yanks had three points locked up, but it was good for the player to receive a small bit of playing time on her way back to full fitness. 

If the three main USWNT forwards watched Sweden's back four in the game before theirs in Winnipeg on Monday, they witnessed how speed could tear apart a disciplined defense. 

Nigeria were able to use their pace in the final third to put usually reliable defenders like Nilla Fischer under pressure over 90 minutes. The unexpected weaknesses displayed by Sweden on Monday handed the USWNT a potentially deadly game plan heading into the second match of the group phase. 

The one player who could benefit the most from this is Leroux, whose pace could drive Sweden crazy throughout her time on the pitch. If she is able to link onto few passes down the wing early in the game, the Yanks will be able to spread out Sweden's back line. 

If Wambach receives another start, which she should given Morgan's current match-fitness level, she could use Leroux's speed to her advantage if the Yanks opt to switch up their game plan halfway through the contest. 

Opening up the match with a burst of speed will do the USWNT good, but keeping up an unrelenting pace for 90 minutes on the artificial surface may be a tough task. That is where the aerial ability of Wambach becomes a key aspect of the USWNT's attacking approach. 

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As we witnessed in the friendly against South Korea and in the win over Australia, the Yanks are not afraid to bypass the midfield and play direct passes in toward the head of Wambach. While many fans are not interested in watching the team play that way, it may finally reap rewards on Friday night. 

If all goes well with the speed approach during the first part of the Group D showdown, the Yanks should have the opportunity to switch things up and find Wambach through the air against a single defender. Because the USWNT has showcased its willingness to play long balls recently, it would not be a surprise to see Sweden double up on Wambach to start the match. 

The only way to ensure that a duo of defenders aren't in Wambach's face all night is to control possession and distribute the ball through both wings. The Yanks succeeded a bit at that on Monday, thanks to Rapinoe on the left flank. But a balanced approach is needed against a better team in Sweden, which is why Tobin Heath may be the best option to start on the other wing. 

"Sometimes when you have teams that neutralize each other, you look for special players to step up. We've got quite a few of them," USWNT manager Jill Ellis said after the win over Australia, per FIFA TV. 

Although she was specifically talking about Rapinoe with that quote, it could apply to any of the forwards on the depth chart, because a few of them have delivered in clutch situations in the past. 

Christen Press, who started on the right against Australia, functions better as a true forward. When she received a chance to drift inside against the Matildas, she found space and slotted in the USWNT's second goal. 

Because there isn't room for three true forwards to start up top for the USWNT, Ellis should sit Press for the first 60 minutes in order to get the best out of the player. By that time in the match, Sweden's defense should be tired, which could lead to more openings for the USWNT forwards to burst through. 

If Ellis chooses to leave Press in the starting lineup, Morgan could easily fill the key substitute role. The only concern about that strategy is how much strength Morgan has in her legs. She certainly has the skill to come off the bench and make an impact, but the last thing the Yanks need is to rush her back to full-match fitness earlier than they want to. 

"The goal with Alex is to give her a little extra time to warm up. My plan was to try and get her 15 to 20 minutes," Ellis said after the Australia match, per FIFA TV. 

Morgan may not be able to play for 30 pressure-packed minutes, but she could be a dangerous option on the bench if the match with Sweden is still tied around the 70th minute. 

Even if Sweden improve their play at the back on Friday, the USWNT forwards and their different skill sets should pose enough problems over 90 minutes. If everything goes according to plan, the Yanks will leave Winnipeg with a commanding lead in Group D.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.