USWNT Must Not Look Past China in Women's World Cup Quarterfinals

For the fourth time in as many Women's World Cup matches, the United States did just enough on Monday night to secure the right result, this time a 2-0 victory over Colombia. So far, the survive-and-advance theme has served the U.S. well: Only three more wins are now required to claim a record third world title.

A highly anticipated confrontation awaits in the semifinals, regardless of the opponent, but the U.S. cannot afford to look ahead too soon. China will represent another difficult test, one that could be even more demanding based on the Americans' uninspiring form and two key casualties from the Colombia game.

First, the form. Once again, coach Jill Ellis' 4-4-2 formation failed to impress offensively against Colombia, despite the 2-0 final scoreline. Following a promising start to the match, the U.S. went into halftime frustrated. Attacks were largely ineffective due to poor linkup play between the midfield and forward lines. The pace was too slow, and Colombia's hardworking players were soon able to claim a foothold, ending the first half as the better side.

That all changed early in the second half when goalkeeper Catalina Perez drew a straight red card and conceded a penalty for fouling Alex Morgan along the edge of Colombia's box. Abby Wambach missed the ensuing spot kick, but with a numerical advantage for nearly the entire second half, the U.S. pulled out an all-but-inevitable victory.

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Ellis will be pleased with the way her team eventually secured the win, and once again, the defense—led by center backs Becky Sauerbrunn and Julie Johnston—was outstanding. But the Americans' lethargic attacking will be a grave concern moving forward, starting in the next round against China.

"I think the frustrating part is we all want to to do well. We're still trying to find the rhythm, but these four matches are done," midfielder Carli Lloyd said, via Laura Vecsey at Fox Sports. "What's done is done. I have confidence in this team that chances will fall."

Coached by Hao Wei, China has advanced this far by playing organized, effective defense and a highly technical style. Apart from a thrilling 2-2 draw against New Zealand in the final group game, the Steel Roses have been extremely stingy. In the opener, Hao's side held Canada scoreless for more than 90 minutes before losing on a hotly contested penalty.

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Against the U.S., China will probably take a similar approach, defending in numbers and looking for opportunities on the counter. The concern for the Americans is that, after struggling to break down four straight opponents, they are now coming up against a highly organized side that will be exceptionally hard to beat without precise passing, intelligent movement and efficient finishing. This team has done those things sporadically at best in Canada.

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Hao was suspended for China's round-of-16 match, a 1-0 victory over Cameroon, but his absence didn't seem to affect the players. His return to the touchline should only give the Steel Roses a boost against the U.S.

A second major concern for the Americans heading into the match is the losses of Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday to suspension. Both drew their second booking of the tournament against Colombia, meaning both will miss the China match because of yellow-card accumulation.

This is a serious issue. Rapinoe has been the team's best attacking player throughout the World Cup. Holiday is another key member of the attack, and her absence in central midfield means Ellis will have to scramble to fill the void. 

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The U.S. coach will have several options to replace the pair, though none is ideal. Tobin Heath, who did not play her best game against Colombia, can switch from right midfield to the left to replace Rapinoe. Her replacement on the right could be any number of players, though Christen Press seems the most likely choice.

With Holiday out, Morgan Brian could slot into central midfield. Or perhaps Ellis would consider 37-year-old Shannon Boxx, who would give the side more defensive stability.

No matter what Ellis decides, the absence of both Rapinoe and Holiday will hurt the U.S., as Leander Schaerlaeckens wrote at Yahoo Sports:

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While China is just about the softest opponent the Americans could ask for at this stage of the tournament—with the other quarterfinals featuring the likes of Germany, France, Canada and likely Japan—they will be hampered by the losses.

On the offensive side of the ball, Holiday and Rapinoe have been the USA's best players in the tournament. The back line, of course, has been stellar, but it's been Rapinoe's flair and Holiday's understated efficiency that have forged the bulk of what few chances the attack has produced. While the vaunted strikers have sputtered only slowly into action, their peers on the line behind them have shoved them all through to this point.

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To this point in the tournament, the defense has been the only part of the U.S. team to surpass expectations. Relying on a strong back line has served Ellis well so far, but stiffer tests await. If the Americans defeat China, a matchup with top-ranked Germany or No. 3 France would come next in the semifinals. Based on form, those are currently the two best teams in the tournament.

A miserly defense won't be enough for the U.S. to beat Germany or France. To overcome such talented attacking sides, the Americans will have to show some flair of their own in the final third. They haven't done so through four games, but as Johnston—perhaps the team's best overall performer to this point—has noted, all is not lost.

"We know we can do better," Johnston said, via USA Today. "But we have another opportunity."

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