USWNT Beats Nigeria to Win Group of Death, but Issues Remain in Attack

The United States women's national team sealed top spot in Group D with a tight 1-0 victory over Nigeria on Tuesday night in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Veteran forward Abby Wambach scored the game's only goal in the 45th minute, crashing in a flying volley from a Megan Rapinoe corner.

In the short term, the result is all that matters. After topping the group, the U.S. will now face a third-placed team in the round of 16, a match the Americans will expect to win, no matter the opponent. But in the long term, this team still has nagging concerns about the quality of its attacking play. As the tournament progresses, coach Jill Ellis will need to address these issues or else the U.S. almost surely won't claim a third world title.

Ahead of kickoff, Ellis' team selection indicated that she recognized some of the problems the U.S. encountered in its first two group matches. Tobin Heath, a natural wide player, came into the side at left midfield, moving Rapinoe to the right. Thus for the first time in the tournament, the U.S. had two true wingers in the starting XI.

In the forward line, Ellis opted to pair Wambach with Alex Morgan, who was making her first start in any competition since April, after recovering from a deep bone bruise. The combination, which worked so well at the 2012 Olympics, gave the U.S. attack a holdup player in Wambach and a speedster in Morgan. Both are also excellent finishers.

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Ellis' lineup tweaks had the desired effect early in the match. Within moments of kickoff, the U.S. created a chance as Ali Krieger lofted a ball into the box for Wambach, who headed into the path of Morgan's late run. The assistant referee flagged Morgan for offside, but the intent was clear: The Americans were set up to create dangerous attacks.

In the eighth minute, the U.S. had a goal ruled out for offside. Wambach headed down a high ball in the box to Julie Johnston, who nodded past Precious Dede for what appeared to be the opener. Instead, the offside flag went up again, this time in a controversial decision.

For all their attacking intent, the Americans were unable to break through until the 45th minute, when Rapinoe picked out Wambach with a pinpoint corner from the right. Flying in at the back post, Wambach volleyed into the net for what turned out to be the game's only goal.

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In the buildup to the match, Wambach had created a stir with remarks about the artificial turf in this World Cup. As quoted by Jeff Carlisle at ESPN, Wambach said: "For me, I definitely think that the U.S. has more goals if we're playing on grass." Wambach took some criticism for those comments, notably on Fox's American TV coverage, so scoring a goal must have been a welcome development for the veteran forward.

The stage seemed set for the U.S. to dominate from there, but it didn't happen. Morgan, who is still returning to full match fitness, departed in the 66th minute, making way for Sydney Leroux. In Morgan's absence, the American attack seemed less fluid and considerably less dangerous. Morgan's intelligent runs behind the defense caused Nigeria many problems, and she nearly scored early in the second half.

Without her on the pitch. the U.S. was simply not as good. It's unclear whether Morgan will be able to play a full 90 minutes—or 120 for that matter—at this World Cup. So as the knockout round approaches, Ellis will have to be smart about how she uses the speedy forward.

Even more concerning was the fact that the U.S. failed to score after Nigeria had Sarah Nnodim sent off in the 69th minute for her second yellow card. After that point, the Americans continued to dominate possession as they had all match, but clear chances were scarce.

And so, at full time, the U.S. had to be content with a one-goal victory. The offensive performance was better than it was against Sweden, but some of the same issues remained. Passing was disjointed. The players relied on too many long balls. Individuals were still unable to form combinations and work as a team.

Once again, these issues did not prove fatal. And in fact, there are reasons for optimism. The Americans have won Group D—which most onlookers have agreed is the toughest in the tournament—and they did so without losing a game. Meanwhile, the defense was solid for a second straight match, with Johnston starring again.

But this team still has not clicked offensively, and it doesn't look capable of winning the World Cup. Fortunately, though, as B/R's Joe Tansey pointed out on Twitter, none of the other favorites have looked like world-beaters either.

The venue for Tuesday night's game was BC Place in Vancouver, which is also the scheduled site for the World Cup final on July 5. That fact won't have gone unnoticed by the U.S. players, who will be hoping to walk out onto the same pitch once again in a little under three weeks.

To do so, and to win the tournament, the Americans will surely have to improve their attack at some point. For now, however, the most important fact is that they still have the chance to do so.

Follow @MiguelCominguez