Women's World Cup, Day 3 - USA vs. Australia

It's finally time for the United States Women's National Team to take the pitch at the 2015 Women's World Cup. As one of the competition favorites, the United States will garner a lot of attention as it tries to navigate a difficult group. Group D--this tournament's "group of death"--includes Australia, Sweden and Nigeria. In the latest FIFA rankings, the United States is second (behind Germany), Sweden is fifth, Australia is tenth, and Nigeria is 33rd. Although the US is the favorite to top Group D, there are going to be a couple of difficult games along the way, starting with today's fixture against the Aussies.

There's a strong UCLA connection in the USWNT, starting with the coach, former UCLA Women's Soccer Coach Jill Ellis, and including former UCLA Soccer standouts Sydney Leroux and Lauren Holiday. Both Leroux and Holliday have become key players for the team, though both have had to adapt to new roles with the USWNT.

Coach Ellis is overseeing a transition in the women's national team, which is reflected in the fact that the team features three players (Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx, and Abby Wambach) on the wrong side of 35, as well as several players just starting their international careers, including Bruin nemesis Morgan Brian.

There are plenty of questions surrounding the team, its shape, and personnel. Coach Ellis has moved Lauren Holiday from her normal role as an attacking midfielder to a holding role as a matter of necessity, but it leaves the team without the benefit of Holiday's forward runs and distribution. Although Megan Rapinoe is outstanding on the wing, the team has had a tendency to play too narrow in the run-up to the World Cup, making it easier for opponents to defend against our impressive group of strikers. Alex Morgan has been slowed by injuries and Abby Wambach has been slowed by age, so Sydney Leroux and Christen Press have been called upon increasingly to deliver goals.

And then there's the US goalkeeper, Hope Solo, who in spite of her talent, is at best a distraction, and at worst "a train wreck." Let me just say that I'm really looking forward to the day that Katelyn Rowland represents the USWNT in goal.

For what it's worth, Hope Solo isn't the only point of controversy associated with the USWNT. There's also been a lot of criticism of the new uniforms designed by Nike.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/1ydk7xlW2N/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">We bad #nomaybes</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-04-22T19:11:23+00:00">Apr 22, 2015 at 12:11pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>

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The criticism is based on the fact that the uniforms don't feature the customary red, white and blue that people have come to associate with US uniforms across all sports. As you can see, the new uniforms are primarily white with a bit of black trim, the socks are described as yellow "volt," and according to Nike, the cleats are "a striking 'Blue Lagoon' color, a nod to the famous lakes of tournament host nation Canada."

The USWNT away kits are more traditional in their color scheme, but I'm not a fan.

As you can see in the fixture list below, Sweden faces Nigeria in today's early Group D match. With the likelihood that Sweden will take three points from that match, it's important that we keep pace, so that when Sweden and the US meet on Friday, the Swedes won't hold a tactical advantage. In any case, Friday's match has the potential to be one of the highlights of the group stage of the 2015 World Cup.

Group C also features two matches today. The early game features the two teams that will very probably end up at the bottom of the Group C table: Cameroon and Ecuador. The late game between Japan and Switzerland will quite likely determine the eventual group winner, although neither team is expected to advance far in the knockout stage.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/3rHriKmWMc/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Let&#39;s go!!!!</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Sydney Leroux Dwyer (@sydneyleroux) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-06-08T15:48:09+00:00">Jun 8, 2015 at 8:48am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>

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Day 3 Matches - Group D

SB Nation's Group D Preview

Game 1: Sweden vs. Nigeria

Kickoff: 1:00 PM PDT

Location: Winnipeg

Live Streaming and International Coverage

United States Coverage: FOX Network, Fox Soccer 2Go USA, SiriusXM FC, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra

SB Nation's Sweden-Nigeria Preview

SB Nation's Sweden Preview

Key Players for Sweden: Forward Lotta Schelin, Forward Caroline Seger, Defender Nilla Fischer, Midfielder Caroline Seger

Key Player for Nigeria: Forward Asisat Oshoala

Game 2: USA vs. Australia

Kickoff: 4:30 PM PDT

Location: Winnipeg

Live Streaming and International Coverage

United States Coverage: Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Sports GO, NBC UNIVERSO, Fox Soccer 2Go USA, NBC UNIVERSO NOW, SiriusXM FC, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra

SB Nation's United States-Australia Preview

SB Nation's Australia Preview

SB Nation's United States Preview

Key Players for the USA: Forward Abby Wambach, Goalkeeper Hope Solo, Midfielder/Winger Megan Rapinoe, Midfielder Lauren Holiday, Forward Alex Morgan, Forward Christen Press, Midfielder Carli Lloyd, Forward Sydney Leroux, Midfielder Lauren Holiday

Key Players for Australia: Forward Caitlin Foord, Midfielder Katrina Gorry, Forward Lisa De Vanna

Day 3 Matches - Group C

SB Nation's Group C Preview

Game 1: Cameroon vs. Ecuador

Kickoff: 4:00 PM PDT

Location: Vancouver

Live Streaming and International Coverage

United States Coverage: Fox Sports 2 USA, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra, Fox Sports GO, Fox Soccer 2Go USA, SiriusXM FC

Key Players for Cameroon: Forward Gaelle Enganamouit, Goalkeeper Annette Ngo Ndom

Key Players for Ecuador: Midfielder Denise Pesantes, Goalkeeper Shirley Berruz

Game 2: Japan vs. Switzerland

Kickoff: 7:00 PM PDT

Location: Vancouver

Live Streaming and International Coverage

United States Coverage: Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Sports GO, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra, SiriusXM FC, Fox Soccer 2Go USA

SB Nation's Japan-Switzerland Preview

SB Nation's Japan Preview

Key Players for Japan: Midfielder Homare Sawa, Forward Mana Iwabuchi, Midfielder Aya Miyama

Key Players for Switzerland: Midfielder Lara Dickenmann, Forward Ramona Bachmann

Day 2 Results - Group B

Norway 4, Thailand 0

Germany 10, Ivory Coast 0

Group B Standings

Please enjoy this Day 3 tournament thread with your fellow Bruins. I'll leave the last word to Sydney Leroux:

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/1yQqe_GWOy/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">The toughest teams aren’t made of &#34;Maybe&#34;. #NoMaybes</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Sydney Leroux Dwyer (@sydneyleroux) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-04-22T17:18:33+00:00">Apr 22, 2015 at 10:18am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>

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Go USA! Go BRUINS!