Women's World Cup 2015: Hope Solo Is Key to USA Beating Germany in Semifinal

For the United States to beat Germany in the Women's World Cup 2015 Semifinal on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, its going to need Hope Solo to play her best game of the tournament to date.

Since opening with a 3-1 victory over Australia, the U.S. hasn't surrendered a goal in four consecutive games—three wins and one scoreless draw. That gives Solo 88 career clean sheets and nine in World Cup play, good for second all-time amongst U.S. goalkeepers.

While clean sheets are typically deemed individual feats—which they are to some extent—it takes a team effort to keep the opposition off the scoreboard.

Julie Johnston, Becky Sauerbrunn and the rest of the U.S. defense has made Solo's job much easier, as the U.S. has given up just the lone goal against Australia in five tournament games. 

Martin Rogers of USA Today made note of the impact the U.S.' defense has had on Solo's approach:

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Solo made an important stop against Australia early in the team's opening match, and let in her only goal of the tournament to Lisa De Vanna soon after. Since then, the backline has resembled a fortress, going more than seven hours of play without conceding. Sometimes Solo wanders far out of her goal area, perhaps to take a better look at the action primarily taking place way off in the distance.

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Good looks at the net have been difficult to come by against the U.S. and its seemingly impenetrable "D."

At the 1:31 mark of the video below, China experienced the frustration of trying to get something going offensively against the U.S: 

Sweden, Nigeria, Colombia and China combined for a measly six shots on-target against a stingy U.S. defense in the past four games. So, yes, Solo has done her part thus far in the World Cup, but because the players in front of her have put forth such a solid effort, not all that much has been asked of the goalkeeper.

That will all change against Germany. 

The U.S. has yet to be faced with a challenge as daunting as slowing down Germany's potent offensive attack. Germany has scored at least four goals in three of its five games, including a 10-goal explosion in its first match against Ivory Coast.

Though the U.S. has been terrific when it comes to limiting scoring opportunities, it hasn't played the team with the top two goal scorers in the whole tournament.

Celia Sasic and Anja Mittag of Germany have scored the most goals in this World Cup with six and five, respectively. Nobody else has more than three.

Germany sets up its playmakers with perfectly placed passes that lead to goals:

If the U.S. finds a way to neutralize Germany's attack, Solo won't face much pressure in this game, but that's just not a realistic expectation. At best, Solo's teammates will manage to contain the Germans.

A lot more shots will be coming Solo's way, and she better be prepared to keep them out of the net because if she doesn't, the U.S. will have to travel back across the border sooner than it would like to.

Solo's counterpart, Nadine Angerer, is no slouch either, underscoring the fact that the U.S. needs a standout performance from its goalkeeper because a high-scoring contest doesn't bode well for the team's chances of advancing.

While she's fully capable of playing like one of the premier goalkeepers in the world, Solo's responsibilities in the tournament have been limited due to the stout play of the rest of the team.

But against Germany, Solo has to be the best player on the field in a game that can solidify her standing in U.S. Soccer lore.