By Marcus Kwesi O'Mard
The United States women’s national soccer team looks east for its next step toward a potential title in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Team USA faces China at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. The rivalry between the teams dates back to the 1990s — the earliest days of women’s soccer’s premier global competition — but history means little on the field in Canada.
Second-ranked Team USA has yet to hit its attacking stride in the tournament, but its tough defense and strong mentality have carried it to this point. Head coach Jill Ellis is hoping forwards Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and other attacking players find their form in Eastern Canada after struggling through their first four games, which took place in the western part of the country.
China has surprised and impressed many with its quick passing game at Canada 2015 and surprisingly sturdy defense. Its march to the quarterfinals suggests China is returning to the heights it enjoyed at the end of the last century when it played Team USA to a goal-less deadlock for 120 minutes before succumbing on penalty kicks. Star players like midfielder Wang Lisi weren’t involved back then but they’re looking to write new history.
Team USA has to face China without two of its top midfielder. Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe are suspended for USA-China due to yellow-card accumulation.
USA-China kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
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