USA vs. Sweden: Latest Buzz, Complete Preview Ahead of Women's World Cup Clash

In perhaps the most pivotal match of the group stage, the United States will look to solidify their status on top of Group D against Sweden Friday night in Winnipeg in the Women’s World Cup.

The United States seized control of Group D on Monday with a 3-1 victory over Australia, while Sweden slipped up earlier in the day, settling for a 3-3 draw with Nigeria.

The two countries are familiar with each other, with Sweden having bested the United States 2-1 in the 2011 group stages. Adding to the connection, Pia Sundhage, who was the United States coach for that matchup, left the team in 2012 to coach Sweden.

A victory Friday night would send the United States through to the knockout stage of the World Cup. Should the United States win and Australia draw with Nigeria, the United States would also lock up the top spot in Group D, potentially leading to an easier draw in the next round.

Sweden, ranked fifth in the World, has some work to do after their draw with Nigeria. A loss to the United States would make their match against Australia next Tuesday a must-win affair, and even then they may need some help to advance. 

How do the United States and Sweden stack up? Here’s what you need to know heading into Friday night’s match. 

Hello, old friend 

As if going against their former coach wasn’t enough for the United States, Pia Sundhage decided to throw even more fuel to the fire.

Sundhage, who led the US to the World Cup final in 2011, and gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, has been the source of controversy leading up to this match. In an interview with Sam Borden of the New York Times, Sundhage was critical of her former players.

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Carli Lloyd was a challenge to coach, by the way. When she felt that we had faith in her, she could be one of the best players. But if she began to question that faith, she could be one of the worst. It was so delicate, so, so delicate.

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Of striker Abby Wambach, Sundhage said:

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I told her: ‘If I stayed, you would be a sub. The best sub ever. But a sub.’ There was no question about that in my mind.

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Will revenge be on the minds of the US players? According to Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl, Lloyd is ready to make a statement.

It seems unlikely Sweden’s players are happy with Sundhage’s comments. When motivated, the United States are near impossible to beat, as evidenced by their performance against Brazil in the 2011 World Cup and the Olympics semifinal against Canada.

Sweden’s back four

Sweden’s uneven performance against Nigeria in their opener was punctuated by the shaky play of their back four. The worrying thing wasn’t just that the team gave up second half leads of 2-0 and 3-2, but how easily they conceded those goals.

For Nigeria's second goal, Asisat Shoala got in behind Sweden’s centerbacks and beat keeper Hedvig Lindahl one-on-one.

Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Nigeria's third goal was a near carbon copy, with Francisca Ordega doing the honors.

The United States have as much team speed as anyone, and strikers Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan and Amy Rodriguez all have pace to burn. Expect the United States to stretch Sweden with runs behind the centerbacks and into the channels.

Speaking of the United States' forward rotation…

How will the United States line up?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The United States’ favored 4-4-2 formation can sometimes come under heavy criticism, particularly when the long ball to Abby Wambach isn’t connecting.

While building a gameplan around Wambach’s target woman capabilities isn’t the worst idea, it can leave the team vulnerable in other areas.

Against Australia on Monday, Christen Press, a striker by trade, seemed unsure of how to play on the right side of the midfield, while Lauren Holiday, another striker, struggled at times with her defensive responsibilities in central midfield.

ESPN’s Julie Foudy and Kristine Lilly advocated for a 4-3-3 against Sweden:

Balancing out their formation by adding another body in the middle of the pitch could prove critical to the United States’ chances of winning the possession battle against equally capable Sweden. And, as mentioned above, the United States will want to put as much pressure as possible on Sweden’s back four.

Neither the United States nor Sweden played brilliant soccer in their World Cup openers, so both teams have plenty to prove in their second match. Which is the more capable team? We'll find out at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.