Women's World Cup Schedule 2015: Live Stream, TV Coverage for Round of 16
It's do-or-die time in the 2015 Women's World Cup, as Wednesday marked the end of group play and the commencement of the knockout rounds.
Brazil edged Costa Rica, 1-0, and finished the group stage as just one of two teams (Japan) with nine points. Costa Rica was effectively eliminated following the loss. South Korea edged Spain, 2-1, to move forward in the tournament. Both France and England won their respective matches Wednesday. Each team improved to six points, but France earned the group's top spot on a better goal differential.
Colombia's 2-1 loss to the Three Lionesses left it with four points, but that was good enough to move into the knockout rounds as a third-place team. However, the Colombians won't easily move forward, as they must take on a powerful United States side in the round of 16.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
With all 16 teams accounted for, here's a look at the complete schedule for the round of 16 and a look at what the Americans must do to continue their run at redemption in this year's World Cup.
Round of 16 Schedule
| Sat., June 20 | Germany vs. Sweden | 4 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sat., June 20 | China vs. Cameroon | 7:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sun., June 21 | Brazil vs. Australia | 1 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sun., June 21 | France vs. South Korea | 4 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sun., June 21 | Canada vs. Switzerland | 7:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| Mon., June 22 | Norway vs. England | 5 p.m. | FS1 |
| Mon., June 22 | United States vs. Colombia | 8 p.m. | FS1 |
| Tue., June 23 | Japan vs. Netherlands | 10 p.m. | FS1 |
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
The full tournament schedule can be viewed at FIFA.com.
Match Preview
United States vs. Colombia
With memories of losing to Japan in the 2011 World Cup final still raw, the United States got one step closer to redemption after finishing atop Group D and earning a great position in the round of 16. Following Wednesday's action, we now know Colombia will be the next opponent.
While the Colombians may be a third-place squad, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with and should be taken very seriously. A highly unpredictable side, the team began the World Cup by forcing a draw with Mexico, went on to shock the world by defeating the French and finished by losing to England. That's about as enigmatic as it gets.
The Colombians don't generate much of an attack, relying on a steady back line and solid goalkeeping to keep them in games while patiently waiting for the counter. That strategy has led to the team's attempting just 21 total shots on goal, with six on target and four finding the back of the net through three matches.
A stunned Philippe Bergeroo shared his thoughts on the Colombians' style of play after they took down his French side during a press conference, via FIFA.com:
"We started the match well. We knew that Colombia were a good and particularly enthusiastic team. They scored against the run of play and things went downhill from there. There were numerous aspects that weren't quite right today. We weren't accurate enough with our passes at key moments. Despite that, we still created chances, but their goalkeeper had a great match.
"
In that match, Colombia maintained just 40 percent of possession and attempted just three shots, with two of them finding the net. It was a completely one-sided affair, but all it took was dangerous forward Lady Andrade getting behind France's back line just once, coupled with a brilliant finish, to put Colombia ahead.
A young and enthusiastic team, the Colombians have plenty of pace and will have opportunities to get behind an American back line that tends to creep up the pitch and get in on the attack. The United States must remain very mindful of that fact in this round-of-16 contest.
As for the American attack, it was vastly improved with both Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan together in the starting lineup for the first time against Nigeria. The duo created a number of chances before Wambach finally put the United States on top with a 45th-minute goal off a set piece.
The Americans have been a solid attacking team throughout the World Cup, generating a total of 38 shots with 14 on target. However, finishing was an issue in the team's last two games, as the Americans scored just one of their four total goals. Still, the presence of Morgan has breathed some life into an offense that was looking particularly stagnant.
Wambach shared her thoughts on Morgan's effect on the team's attack during a press conference, via Jere Longman of the New York Times: "We need Alex Morgan to win this tournament, whether it's her starting or coming off the bench. We feel good about the way she played. Yeah, we want to score more goals. All teams want to score more goals. But she's coming along fine."
If the Americans can generate a constant attack, they'll be a force through the knockout stages. After all, their defense has been virtually impenetrable, as the pace of the back line has allowed time to recover following a mistake, and goalkeeper Hope Solo has been simply phenomenal.
Playing solid, fundamental soccer will be important for the United States against Colombia, not only to come away with a win but also to build the necessary chemistry before a looming date with the top-ranked German squad in the semifinals.
