June 13--REPORTING FROM WINNIPEG, Canada -- The U.S. and Sweden battled on mostly even terms through the first 22 minutes of the first half, with Sweden building an edge in time of possession but neither side putting a shot on goal.
The U.S. had the best chances, first with a Megan Rapinoe free kick into the box. But when Julie Johnston and Sydney Leroux both went for the ball, they collided in mid-air and the chance was wasted.
A few minutes later Leroux tried to run under another cross into the box but this time she bumped into Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl, who rushed off her line to play the ball and prevent a shot.
Pregame
The U.S. can guarantee itself a spot in the knockout stage of the Women's World Cup with a win over Sweden this evening. Even a draw will get the Americans closer.
But the real drama is over where the U.S. will play that second-round game, provided it gets that far. And the answer to that question is completely in the Americans' hands.
With Australia beating Nigeria, 2-0, in Friday's first Group D game, it moves into a tie with the U.S. atop the pool -- a tie the U.S. would break with a win or a tie against Sweden. Follow that with a win or a draw next week against Nigeria and the U.S. wins the group title and goes on to Edmonton, where it will play a third-place team in the second round.
Lose either game, however, and the U.S. could finish second in the group, which would force it to fly to distant Moncton in New Brunswick -- four times zones away -- where it would likely meet Brazil.
For the time being, however, the U.S. is concentrating on Sweden, the only country to beat the Americans in group play at a Women's World Cup. That happened four years ago, when Pia Sundhage was the U.S. coach. She's managing the team from her native Sweden now, leaving the Americans in the hands of her former assistant, Jill Ellis.
Both teams got off to shaky starts in Winnipeg, but while the Americans rebounded with second-half goals from Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe to beat Australia, 3-1, Sweden gave up a two-goal lead in a 3-3 draw with Nigeria.
The U.S. made two changes to its lineup from the first game, the most significant of which was Abby Wambach beginning the game on the bench. Ellis gave Wambach's forward spot to Press on Friday, moving her up from the midfield, where she'll be replaced by 22-year Morgan Brian.
